Three Chinese citizens were among four killed in explosion at Karachi University

At least four people, three of them Chinese nationals, were killed while two others were wounded in an explosion outside the Confucius Institute of Karachi University (KU), officials said on Tuesday.

IG Sindh Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar confirmed the number of deaths over a telephone call with CM Murad Ali Shah. A handout from the GOC office quotes the officer as saying that the explosion occurred in a van at about 2:30 pm.

The proscribed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) asserted responsibility for the attack.

A university spokesman confirmed that three of the victims had Chinese nationality. They have been identified as the Confucius Institute’s director, Huang Guiping, Ding Mupeng, Chen Sai, and Khalid, the driver.

The spokesperson said two more, Wang Yuqing and Hamid, were wounded in the.

Earlier today, SSP East Syed Abdul Rahim Sherazi had suggested that a “couple” of Chinese nationals, who belonged to the KU faculty, were among the dead.

Addressing the media, DIG East Muqaddas Haider said the initial reports indicated that the van was headed to the institute after leaving the hostel.

The explosion happened on the right side of the van at the entrance [of the institute]. We are still trying to establish the type of explosion,” said Haider, confirming that four people were killed.

When asked about the nature of the explosion, DIG said it was too early to say anything definite. Haider stated that the video surveillance was being analysed and that the nature of the explosion would not be confirmed until the bomb squad had submitted its report.