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KARACHI: Four people, including three Chinese nationals teachers, were killed and two others suffered injuries in a blast outside the University of Karachi’s (KU) Confucius Institute, police said on Tuesday.
Sindh IG Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar confirmed the death toll in a telephone call with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. According to a statement issued by CM’s office, the blast took place in a van at approximately 2:30pm near the Confucius Institute — a Chinese language teaching centre at Karachi University.
A spokesperson for the university later confirmed that three of the victims were Chinese nationals. They were identified as Confucius Institute Director Huang Guiping, Ding Mupeng, Chen Sa and Khalid, the driver. The spokesperson added that two others, Wang Yuqing and Hamid, were injured in the incident.
The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack. “The mission was carried out by first female fidayee of the Brigade,” BLA spokesperson said in a statement.
Television footage showed a white van in flames with plumes of smoke rising from its remains while the windows of nearby buildings were shattered.
Speaking to the media, DIG East Muqaddas Haider said initial information showed the van was headed to the institute after leaving the hostel. “The explosion took place at the van’s right side at the institute’s entrance. We are still establishing what type of explosion it was,” Haider said.
The DIG East added that it is the bomb disposal squad’s responsibility to determine the nature of the blast, adding that the process of identification is underway.
He, however, expressed concerns that the blast could have been a terrorist attack targeting Chinese nationals. According to police officials, the van entered the premises through the Maskan gate.
Ghulam Nabi’s media talk
Karachi police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon said that it was unfortunate that teachers had been targeted. Speaking to the media, he said that four others had been injured, including a Chinese national, a private security guard and a Rangers personnel.
Memon said that a Rangers team was accompanying the Chinese nationals. Asked whether a threat had been issued prior to the attack, the senior officer said that there was “always a threat”.
CM Sindh takes notice
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of the incident and directed the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) East to immediately reach the site.
The provincial chief executive issued directives for the injured to be shifted to Dow University Hospital and also asked the Karachi commissioner to submit a report.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the blast in a telephone call with the Sindh chief minister. The premier assured Shah of the Centre’s full help and cooperation in dealing with such incidents.
The prime minister also issued a statement, saying that he was “deeply grieved” over the loss of precious lives and termed it a “heinous attack”.
