KARACHI (Web News)
At least four people have died, including three Chinese nationals in a blast that occurred near a vehicle in the Commerce Department area of Karachi University on Tuesday.
According to the details, the victims of the blast include three Chinese nationals and their driver.
Meanwhile, security in charge of the university said that the blast occurred in a vehicle that entered the university premises from outside.
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in-charge Umar Khattab has confirmed the blast at Karachi University to be a suicide bomb attack. He also mentioned that a banned organization has claimed responsibility for the blast.The suicide bomber had explosives inside a bag, as per CTD in-charge.
DIG East Muqaddas Haider stated that more than three kilograms of explosives were used in the blast, adding that traces of explosives including ball bearings could be spotted on the vehicle.
The mentioned vehicle used to visit the university campus at the same time on daily basis, added DIG.
Details regarding the foreigners, who became victims of the tragic incident are being collected.
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.
It was further revealed that four people also sustained injuries and have been identified as Chinese national Wang Yuqing, a security guard named Hamid and two Rangers personnel Raza and Abdul Rehman.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the blast in the van and directed DC East and SP East to reach the spot immediately. Murad Ali Shah demanded a detailed report from Commissioner Karachi.
The Chief Minister Sindh said that the injured should be shifted to Dow Hospital immediately and efforts should be made to avoid any loss of life.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah visited the Chinese Consulate and briefed the Chinese Consul General regarding the van blast at Karachi University.
Murad Ali Shah assured the Consul General of a full investigation into the incident and said that those involved in the blast would be brought to justice.
Sindh CM added that we value the services of Chinese experts for the country and the province but some conspiratorial elements do not like the partnership of Pakistan and China, such thinking and roles will be dealt with iron hands.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while expressing grief over loss of precious human lives, assured Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah of Center’s full cooperation in dealing such incidents.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan also condemned the blast and mentioned that the terrorist attack is a part of an agenda to damage strategic partnership between Pakistan and China.