The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has submitted the final charge sheet to an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Karachi regarding the Baloch Liberation Army’s (BLA) suicide attack that targeted a convoy of Chinese nationals near Jinnah International Airport on October 6, 2023. The attack resulted in the deaths of two Chinese citizens and one Pakistani civilian, with at least six others injured, including a woman.
According to the charge sheet, the masterminds of the attack – BLA Chief Bashir Baloch alias Bashir Zeb and Commander Abdul Rehman alias Rehman Gul – have been declared “absconders.” The court has directed proceedings under Sections 87 and 88 of the Criminal Procedure Code to declare the fugitives as proclaimed offenders and has sought details of their assets.
Two accused, a man named Javed and a woman named Gul Nisa, are currently in custody. The report alleges that suicide attacker Shah Fahad was ideologically prepared and guided by Bashir Zeb and Rehman Gul. Javed is accused of conducting reconnaissance of the airport prior to the attack, while Gul Nisa allegedly assisted in transporting the explosive-laden vehicle from Balochistan to Karachi.
CTD claims that Javed and his associate Siraj alias Danish were present at the scene during the attack and fled immediately afterward. Despite multiple raids, the CTD has so far failed to apprehend the absconding suspects.
The attack occurred when a convoy carrying Chinese engineers and investors was targeted near a traffic signal close to the airport. The Chinese embassy confirmed the deaths of two of its nationals and injuries to several others.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a “pro-independence” armed group active in Balochistan, had claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement, the group said the assault was carried out by a suicide bomber from its Majeed Brigade, identified as Shah Fahad alias Aftab. According to the BLA, the bombing killed more than five Chinese nationals and injured over a dozen others, in addition to at least 15 Pakistani military personnel, including several high-ranking officers from the military and intelligence agencies.
Further hearings in the case have been adjourned.