A week after the deadly explosion targeting a convoy of Chinese engineers in Karachi on October 6, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has termed the attack “a conspiracy to undermine Pakistan-China relations”.
On the night of October 6, a suicide bomber had rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into the convoy of Chinese engineers, resulting in the deaths of two Chinese nationals among three fatalities, while 16 others, including another Chinese national, were injured. The attack also caused significant damage to more than 15 vehicles.
Responsibility for the attack was claimed by banned Balochistan Liberation Army’s (BLA) Majeed Brigade via social media.
The CTD, in the copy of its initial report submitted to the administrative judge of the anti-terrorism courts, revealed that the bombing was made possible with the involvement of the banned outfit.
According to the report, the horrific attack was carried out with support from an intelligence agency of a hostile country.
The attacker drove his vehicle close to a convoy carrying Chinese nationals and detonated his charge, the report said, adding that the explosion took place near the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) guardroom.
An FIR No 142/24 has been filed under the Pakistan Penal Code’s sections 302 (murder), 353 (assault to deter public servant from discharging duty), 324 (attempted murder), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharging public functions) and 427 (mischief causing damage).
The case registered at a Counter Terrorism Department police station on the complaint of the Airport Police Station’s House Officer (SHO) Kaleem Khan Moosa also includes sections 3 and 4 of the Explosive Substances Act, and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The FIR quotes the SHO as saying that while he was on duty at around 11pm, a loud explosion was heard. Upon investigation, it was found that the explosion had occurred on the road in front of the CAA guardroom, near the outer signal of the Jinnah International Airport Terminal Road.
Several vehicles were destroyed in the blast, and fires broke out. Multiple individuals, including Rangers, police personnel and civilians, were injured, while two Chinese nationals were killed on the spot.
Their bodies were found near the coaster, while parts of a third body were retrieved from a nearby drain.
