An anti-terrorism court in Karachi on Saturday declared Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) chief Bashir Zeb Baloch and senior commander Abdul Rehman, known as Rehman Gul, proclaimed offenders in a case linked to a suicide bombing that targeted Chinese engineers in October 2024.
Prison authorities produced one accused, Saeed, before the court, while a co-accused, Bilal, a private bank manager currently on bail, also appeared. The court framed charges against both men, who pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors said the two were accused of purchasing the vehicle used in the attack and of providing financial assistance to those involved in the bombing near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport. The judge issued notices summoning prosecution witnesses on Jan. 10.
The court also ordered proceedings under Sections 87 and 88 of the Criminal Procedure Code to formally declare Bashir Zeb Baloch and Rehman Gul absconders, after police reported repeated unsuccessful attempts to arrest them.
A convoy of Chinese engineers and investors was targeted in the attack, which Pakistani authorities said left several people dead and injured, including Chinese nationals.
The Baloch Liberation Army, a “pro-independence” armed group operating in Balochistan, claimed responsibility. The group said the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber from its Majeed Brigade, identified as Shah Fahad alias Aftab.
According to the BLA, more than five Chinese nationals and at least 15 Pakistani military personnel were killed, with over a dozen others injured, including several senior intelligence and army officers.