KARACHI: Four people, including three Chinese nationals, were killed while several others sustained injuries in a car explosion on the premises of the University of Karachi, a private news channel reported Tuesday, citing rescue sources.
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 sources said that there were seven to eight people in the van; however, an exact number of casualties is yet to be determined. The van entered the premises through the Maskan gate, they said.
Two of the injured have been identified as Chinese national Wang Yuqing and a guard named Hamid.
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).
‘Could be a terrorist attack targeting Chinese nationals’: DIG East
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) East Muqaddas Haider, while speaking to a private news channel, said that it is the bomb disposal squad’s responsibility to determine the nature of the blast, adding that the process of identification is underway.
He, however, expressed concerns that the blast could have been a terrorist attack targeting Chinese nationals.
Meanwhile, Karachi Police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon said that according to the initial investigation, a burqa-clad woman may be involved in the suicide blast.
“The police have obtained the CCTV footage of the blast and it is currently being analysed,” Haider said, adding that it is being ascertained whether the burqa-clad woman seen in the footage was the suicide bomber or not,” said the DIG.
CM Sindh takes notice
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.
Condemnations pour in
Strongly condemning the explosion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives. “This is a highly condemnable incident,” he said, adding that he is standing with the bereaved families in this difficult time. He also prayed for the early recovery of 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 said sent heartfelt condolences to the people of China on behalf of Pakistan.
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