Pakistan forms joint team to investigate suicide attack on Chinse convoy near Karachi

Authorities in Pakistan’s Sindh province have established a joint interrogation team (JIT) to investigate suspects involved in the October suicide attack on a Chinese convoy near Karachi airport.

The October 6 attack killed two Chinese engineers and one Pakistani citizen, increasing tensions between Pakistan and China. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack, which targeted Chinese nationals and security personnel.

After the attack, the police registered a first information report (FIR) and named several BLA leaders as suspects.

Authorities began their investigation by arresting two key suspects during an intelligence operation earlier this month. The arrests were made on CD Highway near Umar Goth Chowk in Karachi.

The arrested suspects are Muhammad Javed alias Sameer, the alleged perpetrator of the attack, and his accomplice Gul Nisa.

According to Dawn News Agency, the suspects were arrested while they were riding a motorcycle. The JIT, formed by the Sindh Home Department, will conduct a detailed investigation involving officials from multiple agencies, including the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

These include the Federal Investigation Agency’s Anti-Terrorism Wing, Pakistan Rangers, Military Intelligence, Sindh Intelligence Bureau and Karachi Police. The team was tasked to investigate the attack and submit a report within 15 days.

The attack took place near the Civil Aviation Authority guardhouse at the Karachi airport. According to the FIR, BLA leaders brainwashed the attacker into carrying out a suicide attack.

The investigation continues and several key suspects, including BLA commanders Bashir Ahmed alias Bashir Zeb and Abdul Rehman alias Rehman Gul, have been named in the case.

The authorities are focusing on revealing details of the involvement of this terrorist group and its operations targeting Chinese interests in Pakistan.

The targeting of Chinese nationals in Pakistan has raised concerns about the safety of foreign workers involved in major projects.

Increasing attacks on security personnel and growing insecurity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the recent escalation in violence against Chinese nationals, are creating growing uncertainty over the security of megaprojects in the region.

The Government of Pakistan must strengthen its counter-terrorism efforts to ensure the protection of both its citizens and foreigners working on critical infrastructure projects.