The Baluchistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the blast and in a statement and said that Tuesday’s attack was carried out by the group’s first female bomber identified as Shari Baluch or Bramsh.
Karachi: At least four persons died, including three Chinese nationals, in a blast outside the University of Karachi’s Confucius Institute in Pakistan on Tuesday. Officials said four others were injured in the attack.
Meanwhile, according to international news agency AFP, the Baluchistan Liberation Army, a militant group in nearby Baluchistan province, has targeted has carried out the attack and has previously attacked Chinese nationals too.
Watch the moment of the attack here:
The group’s statement that followed Tuesday’s attack identified the bomber as Shari Baluch or Bramsh and said she was the group’s first female bomber. The attack marks “a new chapter in the history of Baluch resistance”, the statement said.
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Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Shariff took to Twitter and wrote, “I am deeply grieved on the loss of precious lives including of our Chinese friends in the heinous attack in Karachi today. My heartfelt condolences go to the bereaved families. I strongly condemn this cowardly act of terrorism. The perpetrators will surely be brought to justice.”
A press note from the office of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said there was a communication with Sindh IG Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar who confirmed the death toll. Shah also reportedly told the Chief Minister that the blast took place around 2.30 pm.
Confirming that the blast was carried out by a woman, the Counter Terrorism Department said there were ball bearings found strewn in the area of the blast.
A spokesperson of the university identified the deceased as Confucius Institute Director Huang Guiping, Ding Mupeng, Chen Sai and Khalid, a driver. Two of the four injured were identified as Wang Yuqing and Hamid.
Meanwhile, Pakistan television media showed visuals of a white vehicle up in flames and shattered windows of nearby buildings. The vehicle appeared to be turning towards the Confucius Institute, located next to the commerce department, when the incident took place, said a local media outlet of Pakistan.
The media outlet quoted a CTD official who said he did not believe a security lapse was the reason behind the attack since thousands of students were coming and going out of the university and checking each of them was a problem.
Meanwhile, Shah expressed grief over the death of the Chinese nationals, a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office said. He also assured Consul General Li Bijian at the Chinese Consulate that the incident would be fully investigated, the statement added.
“Those involved in the incident will be brought to justice. We value the services rendered by Chinese experts in the country and the province,” Shah said, adding, “Some elements do not like the partnership between the two countries.”
