Shah Fahad aka Aftab is BLA Majeed Brigade’s suicide bomber who carried out the Karachi airport bomb blast
According to the Chinese embassy in Pakistan, a “terrorist attack” by BLA resulted in the deaths of two Chinese nationals on Sunday night in an explosion close to Karachi’s international airport in the country’s south.
Who is Shah Fahad aka Aftab BLA Majeed Brigade’s suicide bomber who carried out the Karachi airport bomb blast in Pakistan
#Karachi: The BLA Majeed Brigade’s suicide bomber, Shah Fahad alias Aftab, hailed from Noshki, #Balochistan, and was holding Master degree from a University of #Punjab Province – Local Sources https://t.co/7qPRk63sZt pic.twitter.com/xssOdyTyjO
— ZirNoor Baloch (@ZirNoor_) October 6, 2024
The separatist militant group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) stated in an email to journalists that they were the ones responsible for the explosion and that they had used a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device to target Chinese nationals, including engineers.
According to the Chinese embassy, there was an incident close to the airport on a Port Qasim Electric Power Company convoy.
“The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Pakistan strongly condemn this terrorist attack, express deep condolences to the innocent victims of both countries and sincere sympathies to the injured and (their) families,” the statement said.
Yesterday’s attack was carried out by BLA Majeed Brigade’s suicide bomber, Shah Fahad alias Aftab, who has a master’s degree from a university in the Punjab province.
Shah Fahad Mengal was a resident of Noshki, Balochistan.
Pakistan, whose capital Islamabad witnessed by rallies and altercations between police and supporters of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan this past weekend, is gearing up to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting.
The meeting is scheduled for next week, and organizers have promised to ensure high-level Chinese representation as well as the first visit by an Indian foreign minister in ten years.
In addition to the fatalities from Sunday’s blast, at least ten injuries were also reported by Pakistani network Geo News. Requests for comments were not immediately answered by Karachi police.
The province of Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan and is situated in southwest Pakistan, is the target of the moment by BLA. In August, it began coordinated strikes in the province, in which more than 70 people were killed.
File picture of Shah Fahad Badini alias Aftab Baloch at Jinnah International Airport Karachi. He donated his explosive-laden vehicle last night targeting a VIP convoy of Chinese nationals and their security near #Karachi airport pic.twitter.com/BVkW475X1y
— ZirNoor Baloch (@ZirNoor_) October 7, 2024
BLA expressly targets Chinese interests, claiming Beijing assists Islamabad in abusing the province and is particularly targeting the vital port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea. It has previously assaulted Beijing’s consulate in Karachi and killed Chinese nationals who were employed in the area.
China has billions of planned investments that have been impacted by security concerns, particularly those made under President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Five Chinese engineers working on a hydroelectric project in northern Pakistan were slain by a suicide bomber in March. Although the Pakistani Taliban denied being responsible for the attack, authorities detained terrorists they claimed to be affiliated with them.