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| India-Pakistan |
| 3 Chinese nationals among 4 dead in suicide attack at Karachi University |
| 2022-04-27 |
| [Dawn] At least four people, including three Chinese nationals, were killed while four others were maimed in a suicide kaboom outside the University of Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... 's (KU) Confucius Institute, officials said on Tuesday. The incident happened as a van, carrying staff members, was about to enter the Confucius Institute, located next to the commerce department. Television footage showed a white van in flames with plumes of smoke rising from its remains. The windows of nearby buildings were also seen shattered from the impact of the earth-shattering kaboom. CCTV footage of the attack showed a burqa-clad woman standing outside the entrance of the Confucius Institute. The woman detonated herself just as the van neared the institute's entrance. Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar confirmed that four people had died. A handout from Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah’s office quoted the IGP as saying that the blast took place at approximately 2:30pm. The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) grabbed credit for the attack. A spokesperson for the university confirmed that three of the victims were Chinese nationals. They were identified as Confucius Institute Director Huang Guiping, Ding Mupeng and Chen Sai. The fourth victim was the van’s driver, Khalid. The spokesperson also identified two of the injured as Wang Yuqing, a Chinese faculty member, and Hamid. "Academic activities and public dealings will remain suspended at KU on Wednesday (tomorrow) to mourn the loss of the Confucius Institute's faculty members," the spokesperson said. Earlier in the day, SSP East Syed Abdul Rahim Sherazi had hinted that a "couple" of Chinese nationals, who were part of KU faculty, were among the dear departed. BALL BEARINGS FOUND Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) official Raja Umar Khattab said that the suicide attack was carried out by a woman, adding that ball bearings were found at the site of the blast. He said the van was properly guarded as a Rangers team was escorting it which was why an improvised bomb (IED) was not used. Responding to a question, the CTD official said he did not believe a security lapse was the reason behind the attack since thousands of students were coming and going out of the university and checking each of them was a problem. Karachi police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon said that it was unfortunate that teachers had been targeted. Speaking to the media, he said that four others had been injured, including a Chinese national, a private security guard and a Rangers personnel. Memon said that a Rangers team was accompanying the Chinese nationals. Asked whether a threat had been issued prior to the attack, the senior officer said that there was "always a threat". He said tight security arrangements were already in place at the varsity, adding that any lapses would be "revisited". "Give us time to look at the CCTV footage and interview witnesses," he said. Speaking to the media earlier, DIG East Muqaddas Haider said initial information showed the van was headed to the institute after leaving the hostel. "The explosion took place at the van's right side at the [institute's] entrance," Haider said, confirming that four people had been killed. Related: Baloch Liberation Army: 2022-02-06 Security forces complete clearance operation in Balochistan: ISPR Baloch Liberation Army: 2022-02-03 ISPR says attacks repulsed in Balochistan's Noshki and Panjgur; 4 terrorists killed Baloch Liberation Army: 2019-05-19 Three ‘militants’ killed in Kalat |
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