CTD presents initial report in Karachi airport terror attack in court

In an important development in an investigation into a suicide blast near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Saturday presented in an anti-terrorism court (ATC) the preliminary report on the incident, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

As per the report, the blast was part of a conspiracy not only to damage Pakistan’s relations with China but to also destroy the city’s peace, which is a hub of the country’s commercial activities. 

The report stated that the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) had later admitted it was responsible for the attack.  

It informed that the organization carried out the attack with the support of the country’s foreign enemies.

“The terrorist exploded himself by bringing his car close to the convoy in which the Chinese nationals were travelling; not far from the airport’s outer terminal,” read the report.

Furthermore, when after hearing the blast, the police reached the spot, it found the police and Rangers personnel, who were providing security to these foreigners, as well as other persons in a pool of blood. “Three people, including two Chinese citizens, were killed in the incident, while 12 others, including Waqar, Ilyas, Naeem, Ranu Khan, Azeem, Tariq, Ali, Hamza and Sabih, were injured.”

As many as 15 vehicles were completely destroyed in the blast, said the report.

The FIR of the incident had been registered at the airport police station on the complaint of its SHO.

Two Chinese nationals were among three dead in a suicide attack near Karachi airport on Sunday.

The Chinese embassy in Pakistan said the explosion was a "terrorist attack" targeting a convoy of Chinese engineers working on a power project in Sindh.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the attack a "heinous act" and offered his condolences to the Chinese people.

"Pakistan stands committed to safeguarding our Chinese friends," he wrote on X.

The foreign ministry said it is "in close contact" with Chinese authorities and will "bring to justice those responsible for this cowardly attack".

"This act of terrorism is an attack not only on Pakistan, but also on the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China," the ministry said.

"This barbaric act will not go unpunished," it added.

Reporter: Mumtaz Jamali