KARACHI: Three days after a devastating suicide attack near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport that killed two Chinese nationals and injured 11 others, including another Chinese citizen, police have registered an FIR against leaders of the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and others.

The separatist group had claimed responsibility for the attack, which also damaged 15 vehicles.

The police believe the BLA, allegedly with the assistance of a hostile foreign intelligence agency, aimed to sabotage Pakistan-China relations by targeting Chinese nationals, among other objectives.

The FIR was lodged by SHO Moosa Kaleem Khan of the Airport Police Station at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).

Police say outlawed group in cahoots with foreign spy agency; govt walks back Aurangzeb’s remarks about IPP talks

According to the FIR, the suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden Toyota Hilux into a convoy carrying Chinese nationals near the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guard room at the airport’s outer signal.

Security agencies informed the police that the BLA, through its spokesperson Jeeand Baloch, claimed responsibility for the bombing. The police have named BLA commander Bashir Ahmed alias Bashir Zeb and Abdul Rehman alias Rehman Gul, among others, as co-accused in the case.

The FIR noted that BLA leaders brainwashed the suicide bomber to carry out the attack, targeting Chinese nationals and security personnel.

The separatist group, believed to be supported by a foreign intelligence agency, sought to undermine Pakistan-China relations, spread terrorism, destabilise Pakistan’s security and economy and achieve financial gains.

The attack was also intended to instil fear among the public and weaken the morale of security institutions.

The police have invoked sections 302, 353, 324, 186 and 427 of the Pakistan Penal Code, sections 3 and 4 of Explosive Substances Act 1908, and sections 7, 11-F, and 21-I of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

Govt ‘walks back’ minister’s statement

Separately, the finance division ‘walked back’ a statement by its minister in charge regarding the Chinese engineers who perished in a terrorist attack.

In a statement, the division said the government has been negotiating with IPPs, including the power plant for which both the Chinese engineers worked.

“However, the dece­ased engineers were not involved in the IPP talks,” it said. The statement came a day after Mohammad Aurangzeb said in a televised address: “These were our brothers, these were those IPP engineers with whom Minister Leghari — Awais Leghari sahab — and I were negotiating with in terms of requesting them to reprofile debt for a bit and extend maturities so we can bring a reduction in tariff.”

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2024