KARACHI: Private guard Sharifullah s/o Habibullah, belonging to the Executive Security Company, who had been working for the last 4-5 months in the Liberty Textile Mills Ltd located in the SITE area of the Metropolis, opened fire and injured two Chinese nationals after a heated argument and a scuffle here on Tuesday (5th November, 2024) morning.

The injured foreigners (one in critical condition) are being provided treatment at Agha Khan Hospital. Although Tuesday’s incident was not an act of terrorism, one immediately recalls that recently Chinese engineers were attacked by a suicide bomber as their vehicle emerged from Jinnah Terminal.

A suicide bomber (identified as Shah Fahd) belonging to proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) rammed his car laden with 75 kgs explosives into the convoy of Chinese nationals (including engineers) from the Port Qasim Electric Power Company and LEAs vehicles escorting them near the Jinnah International Airport signal here at 11PM on 6th October, 2024 killing three (including two Chinese citizens), injuring 17 (including one Chinese citizen), destroying seven vehicles.

Commenting on the attack outside Karachi Airport, the FO stated: “This deplorable act of terrorism is an attack not only on Pakistan but also on the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China. We remain resolute in bringing to justice those responsible for this cowardly attack, including the Majeed Brigade. Pakistan’s security and law enforcement agencies will spare no effort in apprehending the perpetrators and their facilitators. This barbaric act will not go unpunished.”

The diplomatic mission in Islamabad, condemning the terrorist attack, had reminded the Chinese citoyens, enterprises and projects in Pakistan “to be vigilant, pay close attention to the security situation, strengthen security measures, and make every effort to take safety precautions.” The Embassy requested the authorities here 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”.

By means of emails, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA, separatist militants’ group called Majeed Brigade) has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack. Junaid Baloch, spokesman of the proscribed separatist outfit, while talking to the Media, said the their suicide bomber had targeted the convey of Chinese engineers and investors as they left emerged from the Jinnah International Terminal. BLA has been banned by the government in Pakistan.

Newspakistan.tv