China says two citizens killed, one injured in Pakistan ‘terrorist attack’

At least 10 people were hurt after a convoy from the Port Qasim Electric Power Company was attacked near Karachi airport.

The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan has said at least two of its citizens were killed and a third injured after their convoy was attacked near Karachi airport.

The embassy said the attack took place at about 11pm on Sunday (18:00 GMT) close to the Jinnah international airport and targeted the Chinese staff of the Port Qasim Electric Power Company.

Geo News, a Pakistani news broadcaster, reported at least 10 people were injured.

In the statement early on Monday, the Chinese Embassy condemned the “terrorist attack” and requested “the Pakistani side to thoroughly investigate the attack, severely punish the perpetrators, and take all necessary measures to protect the safety of Chinese citizens, institutions and projects in Pakistan”.

Hassaan Khan, a rescue official, told Dawn.com that 10 vehicles were damaged in the fire caused by the explosion and that four cars were destroyed.

In a statement emailed to journalists earlier, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) armed group said it was behind the attack, which involved an improvised explosive device (IED).

The BLA wants independence for Balochistan and is part of a broader rebellion in Pakistan’s largest and least-populated province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan.

It has been banned by the government in Pakistan.

In August, the BLA launched coordinated attacks in the province, in which more than 70 people were killed. It has claimed attacks in Balochistan, including the killing of seven barbers in Gwadar in May and the April killings of several people abducted from a highway.

The BLA specifically targets Chinese interests – in particular the strategic