| Female suicide bomber kills three Chinese teachers inside Karachi University | India sponsored banned outfit claims responsibility | The Daily Mail had reported on Monday that a high profile meeting of Intelligence officials from over 20 countries was hosted by RAW at New Delhi over the weekend | DM Investigative report also revealed that the meeting planned to sabotage CPEC, cause troubles for China and to dent Pakistan, China Friendship besides other nefarious decisions against Pakistan, China and Afghanistan | Due to impregnable security arrangements in Balochistan, terrorists could only extremely soft targets in Karachi | Preliminary investigations indicate bombing device not being locally made | PM assures China govt will bring criminals of Karachi blast to Justice | CM Sindh takes notice; meets Chinese Consul General in Karachi | Foreign Office, Imran Khan, Bilawal, other political leaders condemn attack
From Zeeshan Mirza
KARACHI: Just two days after the conclusion of a high profile meeting of intelligence bosses of over 20 countries that was held at Indian Capital New Delhi and was organized by Indian Intelligence Agency RAW, Karachi was rocked by a suicide bombing by a female bomber when she blasted herself nearly a meter away from a van, carrying teaching staff including three Chinese teachers of Confucius Institute, located inside the premises of University of Karachi on Tuesday morning.
The staff van, which was also being guarded by guards of Rangers was targeted by the bomber just when it had reached its destination, also seriously injuring the security personnel.
The Daily Mail had already published a Special Investigations-based report, suggesting that Indian Intelligence Agency RAW had hosted a high profile meeting of Intelligence Chief from over 20 countries at New Delhi on Saturday and Sunday. This report also highlighted that during the meeting, plans to counter China, BRI, and CPEC to create unrest in Pakistan and to dent Pakistan, China ties were agreed upon, apart from other similar actions.
The Tuesday’s terror attack came merely after a couple of days of the conclusion of this dubious Intelligence moot at New Delhi with a known India sponsored terror outfit taking the responsibility for the same.
Agencies add, Four people, including three Chinese nationals, were killed while four others sustained injuries in a car explosion on the premises of the University of Karachi.
According to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), it was a suicide blast and was carried out by a burqa-clad woman.
The explosion occurred at 1:52pm in a van near the Confucius Institute — a Chinese language teaching centre at Karachi University.
Following the blast, rescue and security agencies rushed to the location and cordoned off the areas, initiating rescue operations.
The deceased Chinese nationals have been identified as the director of the Confucius Institute Huang Guiping, Ding Mupeng, Chen Sai, and their Pakistani driver, Khalid.
Police said the van entered the premises through the Maskan gate of the university, they said. Of the four people who sustained injuries, two have been identified as Chinese national Wang Yuqing and a security guard named Hamid. All of them are currently hospitalised and are receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased have been shifted to Karachi’s Jinnah Hospital for an autopsy. The explosion was initially reported to have been caused by a gas cylinder. However, the police later said that the blast could have been a suicide attack. Sources further added that the victims were returning to the Confucius Institute from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA).
In Charge of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Raja Umar Khattab confirmed that it was a suicide attack and a burqa-clad woman seen in the CCTV footage was responsible for it.
“A separatist group has also claimed responsibility for the attack,” Khattab said, adding that the terrorists, after surveillance, targeted the vehicle carrying the foreigners. He added that Rangers personnel were escorting the vehicle on their motorbikes when the explosion occurred.
“The explosive material used in the blast does not seem to be local-made,” Khattab said, adding that the explosive material consisted of steel ball-bearings and was contained in a schoolbag.
Meanwhile, a police report said that about three to four kilogrammes of explosives were used in the blast.
Earlier, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) East Muqaddas Haider, while speaking to media, had said that it is the bomb disposal squad’s responsibility to determine the nature of the blast, adding that the process of identification was underway.
Karachi Police Chief Ghulam Nabi Memon said the bomb disposal unit was determining the nature of the blast and would soon release the report. “Four people who have been injured are being treated at different hospitals, while the bodies of the deceased have been shifted to Chippa mortuary,” Memon told journalists. The police official lamented that the people who were killed in the blast were teachers — three foreigners and one Pakistani. He added that it was too early to say who was behind the blast.
The metropolis Police Chief said “security arrangements were adequate” in the varsity, and in case of a lapse, it will be reviewed and worked upon.
In meeting with Chinese Chargé d’affaires Pang Chunxue at China’s Embassy in Islamabad, to condole with her over the death of her country’s citizens, assured China that his government will not rest until the criminals involved in the suicide attack on the Chinese nationals in Karachi are brought to justice.
During the visit, the premier also sent a special condolence message to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
According to the PM Office, the premier expressed sorrow and grief over the death of Chinese residents in the suicide blast at Karachi University.
“The entire Pakistani nation is in shock and grief over the brutal attack on its iron brother” said PM Shahbaz. He also extended heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the Chinese government, its people, and the families of the victims.
“We condemn this terrorist attack in the strongest words and are determined to eradicate all forms of terrorism and terrorists from Pakistani soil,” assured the Premier.
PM Shehbaz told the Chinese diplomat that his government will “investigate the incident expeditiously” and sentence the culprits to “exemplary punishment”. He also added that he has directed Interior Minister Rana Sanullah to visit Karachi today, Wednesday.
“We will not sit with ease till the criminals are arrested and punished and we will hang the culprits who took the life of the Chinese nationals,” said PM Shehbaz.
The premier also shared that the Pakistani government would make all arrangements for the repatriation of the dead bodies and the injured to China.
“I have ordered to provide foolproof security to the Chinese citizens and institutions,” said PM Shehbaz. The premier, during the visit, also wrote in the condolence book set up at the Embassy.
Taking notice of the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed the deputy commissioner (DC) East and Superintendent of Police (SP) east to reach the spot of the blast immediately.
The Sindh CM issued directives to shift the injured to the Dow University Hospital, situated near the University of Karachi. He directed officials to ensure the provision of all facilities to prevent any casualties.
The Chief Minister has also asked the Karachi commissioner for a detailed report of the blast.
CM Shah also reached the Chinese Consulate and briefed the consul general on the explosion at the University of Karachi.
He expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise of three Chinese nationals in the explosion and assured the consul general of a thorough probe into the blast.
Shah vowed that the suspects involved in the blast will be brought to justice. “Some conspirative elements do not like the Pakistan-China partnership,” he said, adding that the elements will be dealt with an iron hand.
The Chief Minister said that the government assigns great value to the services of Chinese expatriates in the country and the province.
The Chinese Consul General Li Bijian thanked the Chief Minister for his visit and said he was in contact with the families of three Chinese nationals killed in the blast. “Whatever decision is taken in respect of shifting the dead bodies back to China would be informed to the Sindh government,” Li Bijian said.
Foreign Office spokesperson also expressed strong disapproval of the attack and said that the government and people of Pakistan extend their deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of victims who lost their lives in the incident.
“The law enforcement agencies are investigating the incident to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice. Local authorities are also providing all possible assistance to the injured,” the FO said in a statement.
“The cowardly incident is a direct attack on the Pakistan-China friendship and ongoing cooperation. Pakistan and China are close friends and iron brothers. Pakistan attaches great importance to the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions in Pakistan.”
Former Prime Minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan also condemned the blast and said demanded a thorough investigation into the matter. He also sent his condolences to the bereaved family members of the deceased. The former premier demanded the Sindh government provide adequate facilities to the injured.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf and Deputy Speaker Zahid Akram have also condemned the blast.
Condemning the blast, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed his sorrow over the incident and sent heartfelt condolences to the people of China on behalf of Pakistan.
The Daily Mail had already published a Special Investigations-based report RAW hosts secret Conference with Spymasters from over 20 countries.
