One week after the deadly explosion targeting a convoy of Chinese engineers in Karachi, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has declared the attack “a conspiracy to undermine Pakistan-China relations.” The October 6 suicide bombing, which claimed the lives of two Chinese nationals among three victims, left 16 others injured, including another Chinese national, and caused extensive damage to over 15 vehicles.
The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army’s (BLA) Majeed Brigade claimed responsibility for the attack via social media. According to the CTD’s preliminary report, submitted to the administrative judge of the anti-terrorism courts, the bombing was orchestrated with support from the militant group, and evidence points to involvement from a foreign intelligence agency of a hostile country.
The suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into the convoy near the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guardroom. The blast took place as the convoy of Chinese engineers, traveling from Jinnah International Airport toward Sharea Faisal, passed the CAA guardroom. The initial report revealed that the attacker had intentionally crashed his vehicle into the convoy, aiming to inflict maximum damage.
Fires erupted at the scene, and multiple vehicles were destroyed. Several individuals, including police, Rangers, and civilians, were injured. The bodies of the Chinese nationals were found near a coaster, while the remains of a third victim were retrieved from a nearby drain. An FIR No. 142/24 was registered under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including charges of murder (Section 302), attempted murder (Section 324), and obstruction of public servants (Section 353), alongside provisions from the Explosive Substances Act and the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The complainant, Airport Police Station House Officer (SHO) Kaleem Khan Moosa, stated that the explosion occurred around 11 p.m., during his duty, near the Jinnah Terminal’s outer signal. Eyewitnesses confirmed that an unidentified man driving a Toyota Hilux crashed into the convoy deliberately, triggering the explosion.
The FIR also mentioned that the BLA claimed responsibility for the bombing, and key masterminds behind the attack, including BLA chief Bashir Ahmed Baloch, alias Bashir Zaib, and Abdur Rahman, alias Rehman Gul, played a crucial role in planning the assault. The CTD’s report emphasized that the attack was strategically designed to harm the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and China.
The perpetrators, brainwashed by the militant group, sought to promote terrorism in Pakistan with the backing of a hostile foreign agency. Their goal was not only to endanger Chinese nationals working on critical infrastructure projects but also to destabilize the region and weaken Pakistan’s security apparatus.
The attackers aimed to damage morale within the country’s security forces and disrupt the economic and developmental projects that involve China, a key ally of Pakistan. This includes China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, which are vital to the region’s growth.
The CTD has highlighted that the motives behind the bombing are both financial and ideological, rooted in the banned group’s agenda to destabilize Pakistan for its benefit. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the network behind the attack and are committed to bringing all those responsible to justice. The incident has raised concerns about the security of foreign nationals working in Pakistan, particularly in light of increasing threats from militant groups.
