On the evening of October 6, an explosion rocked the area outside Karachi International Airport in southern Pakistan, resulting in at least one death and ten injuries, including one foreign national, according to reports from the Associated Press. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, has claimed responsibility, alleging that the attack was specifically aimed at Chinese citizens, including engineers and investors.

Local officials cited by Geo News have stated that the specifics surrounding the nature of the explosion remain unclear, although it occurred near a convoy of foreign vehicles. The AP noted that a fuel tanker was involved in the blast, leading to two fatalities and at least eight people injured.

In a statement to the media, the BLA confirmed that the attack was carried out using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. As of now, the Karachi police have not provided any comment on the situation.

The BLA is actively seeking independence for Balochistan, a region in southwestern Pakistan that shares borders with Afghanistan and Iran. Back in August, the group executed coordinated attacks that claimed the lives of over 70 individuals.

This group has been particularly aggressive in targeting Chinese interests, including the strategically important Gwadar Port along the Arabian Sea. They accuse Beijing of aiding the Pakistani government in the exploitation of the province’s resources. Historically, the BLA has also launched attacks on Chinese nationals and previously targeted the Chinese consulate in Karachi.

Currently, thousands of Chinese workers are in Pakistan, primarily engaged in projects tied to the Belt and Road Initiative.