Karachi (Web Desk): Sindh Home Minister Zia Ul Hassan Lanjar confirmed on Monday that police, in collaboration with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), had apprehended three individuals, including a woman, involved in the deadly explosion near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport.
The blast, which claimed the lives of two Chinese nationals and one other individual, took place last month.
Addressing the media alongside Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon, Minister Lanjar revealed that the key suspect, Javed alias Sami, who masterminded the attack, and Gul Nisa, the female accomplice, were arrested along the RCD Highway, which links Karachi to Quetta.
The tragic explosion, which killed three and injured at least 16 others, was caused by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), according to the police. The blast also damaged approximately 15 vehicles near the airport.
The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) report indicated that the bomb weighed between 70 and 80 kilograms and had been placed in a double-cabin vehicle.
As the Chinese convoy neared the airport signal, the attacker drove the explosives-laden vehicle into the bus carrying the Chinese nationals, triggering the deadly blast.
Minister Lanjar stated that the attack was a deliberate attempt to destabilize Pakistan-China relations and disrupt the ongoing China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
He revealed that investigations had confirmed Javed’s direct role in the suicide bombing, while Gul Nisa facilitated the attack by assisting the bomber.
In a significant breakthrough, police recovered the vehicle's registration plate and chassis number from the scene. The vehicle had been purchased for Rs7.1 million from a showroom in Karachi and was registered under the suicide bomber's name. The payment for the vehicle had been made via a private bank in Hub, Balochistan.
The suicide bomber, later identified as Shah Fahad, was recognized through his fingerprints, as his face and torso were severely burned in the explosion.
Investigations showed that Fahad had arrived in Karachi along with Gul Nisa on October 4 and had stayed at a local hotel in Saddar.
On the night of the attack, Javed, who was inside the airport, reportedly informed the bomber by phone when the Chinese convoy was about to leave the airport. As the convoy approached a short distance from the airport, the suicide attacker drove the explosives-laden vehicle into their path and detonated it.
In addition to Javed and Gul Nisa, two other suspects—identified as rickshaw driver Farhan and Muhammad Saeed—were implicated in the attack. Meanwhile, three more suspects, Danish, Gul Rehman, and Bashir Zaid, were also named in the investigation but remain at large.
Minister Lanjar praised the efforts of the CTD and Sindh police, announcing a reward of Rs50 million for their successful investigation. He also vowed to recommend the officers for the Quaid-e-Azam Police Medal (QPM) and the President's Police Medal (PPM) for their exceptional work.
The Balochistan Liberation Army's (BLA) Majeed Brigade claimed responsibility for the attack through a post on social media. According to a CTD report, the bombing was carried out with the assistance of a foreign intelligence agency hostile to Pakistan.
The explosion occurred near the Civil Aviation Authority’s guardroom, where the vehicle packed with explosives was detonated as the Chinese convoy passed.
A First Information Report (FIR) No. 142/24 has been registered under multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including charges of murder, attempted murder, and obstructing public servants.
The FIR also includes sections of the Explosive Substances Act and the Anti-Terrorism Act.
