Deadly blast hits convoy of Chinese engineers in Pakistan

Two Chinese nationals person been killed aft an detonation adjacent Jinnah International Airport successful Karachi, Pakistan.

The Chinese embassy successful Pakistan said "many Pakistani unit were killed and injured" successful the blast, which happened astir 23:00 section clip (17:00 GMT). The wide decease toll is arsenic yet unclear.

The embassy added that the detonation targeted a convoy of Chinese engineers moving connected a powerfulness task successful the country's Sindh province.

The separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) - which has successful caller years carried retired attacks connected Chinese nationals progressive successful projects - has claimed work for the attack.

In a connection released connected Monday, the militant radical said it had "targeted a high-level convoy of Chinese engineers and investors" arriving from Karachi airport.

The Chinese embassy said that the engineers were portion of the Chinese-funded endeavor Port Qasim Power Generation Co Ltd, which aims to physique 2 ember powerfulness plants astatine Port Qasim, adjacent Karachi.

The works is portion of the China-Pakistan economical corridor, which is besides backing a fig of infrastructure and vigor projects successful Pakistan's Balochistan province, which has a affluent proviso of earthy resources, including state and minerals.

The BLA on with different taste Baloch groups has fought a long-running insurgency for a abstracted homeland.

It has regularly targeted Chinese nationals successful the region, claiming taste Baloch residents were not receiving their stock of wealthiness extracted from overseas investors.

There has besides been heightened information successful Pakistan arsenic it prepares to big the leaders' acme of the Shangai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

The blast was reportedly heard successful assorted areas astir the city, with footage from section media showing heavy fume and cars acceptable alight.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar said that the detonation was apt to beryllium person been caused by a suspected improvised explosive instrumentality (IED).

A constabulary surgeon, Dr Summaiya told Dawn news: "Ten injured persons, including 1 successful captious condition, person been brought the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical College (JPMC)."

She added the injured included a constabulary constable and a woman.

A connection posted connected X from Sindh's Interior Minister's bureau said that a "tanker truck" had exploded connected Airport Road and said the curate was successful interaction with the Malir Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) regarding the incident.

"We request to ascertain the facts," the connection said.