An explosion near Karachi’s international airport, Pakistan, Sunday night killed at least one person and injured 10 others, local broadcaster Geo News reported, citing provincial officials.
The nature of the blast was not immediately clear, but a separatist militant group claimed responsibility for what it described as an attack.
“We’re investigating the cause and extent of the explosion,” said Karachi Police Chief Javed Alam Odho. “Our priority is securing the area and ensuring the safety of civilians.”
Among the injured was at least one foreigner, according to the provincial official quoted by Geo News. A convoy of foreigners was reportedly in the vicinity of the blast.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, claimed in an emailed statement that the explosion was a targeted attack using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. The group said it was aimed at Chinese nationals, including engineers.
The BLA seeks independence for Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan and Iran. The group has a history of targeting Chinese interests in the region, including attacks on the strategic port of Gwadar and Beijing’s consulate in Karachi.
“This incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in Balochistan and the wider region,” said security analyst Rahimullah Yusufzai. “It’s likely to heighten concerns about the safety of foreign nationals working on development projects in Pakistan.”
In August, the BLA launched coordinated attacks in Balochistan that killed more than 70 people. The group accuses Beijing of helping Islamabad exploit the province’s resources.
