Baloch separatists behind Confucius Institute attack in Karachi
A primary school teacher is the likely suicide bomber. Since the start of the year, militants have carried out at least three major operations against Chinese targets and members of Pakistani security forces. China has urged Pakistan’s new government to take action.
Karachi (AsiaNews) – Three Chinese teachers and their Pakistani driver were killed yesterday in a suspected suicide attack claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
The blast, which torched the minibus that was driving to the Confucius Institute at Karachi University, injured four other people. The Majeed Fidayeen Brigade, the BLA’s suicide squad, claimed responsibility.
The attack marks “a new chapter in the history of Baloch resistance,” said the BLA in a statement, which came with a photo of Bramsh, nom de guerre of Shari Balush (pictured), the group’s first female suicide bomber.
University CCTV footage shows a woman loitering near the Institute’s entrance gate before the explosion.
A bomb disposal squad official told The Dawn newspaper that “the suicide bomber must have been carrying five to 10kg of explosives”.
Yesterday's blast was the first alleged suicide bombing involving a woman from a relatively well-off family.
Shari Balush taught at a primary school in Kech district. She completed a Bachelor of Education (2014) and Master in Education (2018). She earned a Master in Zoology from the University of Balochistan and Master of Philosophy from the Allama Iqbal Open University.
The mother of two (both under five) was the daughter of the director of a government agency, and her husband works as a dentist while her brother-in-law is also a teacher. Among analysts, her background raises several questions.
Since 2021 Balochi separatists have been able to recruit young and educated people; in view of yesterday’s “success”, it is likely that they can also be expected to attract more women in the future, experts say.
Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province, but also its poorest and least populated, bordering Iran and Afghanistan.
Balochi nationalists claim that their territory was forcibly incorporated into Pakistan in 1947, during the partition of British India.
Currently, the province is going through its fifth insurgency, which began in 2000. So far it has been the longest.
This year, separatist militants have carried out three other major attacks against civilians or Pakistani security forces.
On 25 January a group of terrorists attacked the town of Kech, killing a dozen soldiers. A week later clashes broke out in Noshki and Panjgur districts where the situation remained tense for more than two days. On such occasions, the main targets were connected to China.
The BLA has long opposed Chinese investments in Pakistan, arguing that they do not benefit the population but instead strip the province of its natural wealth.
Thousands of Chinese work in Pakistan, mostly involved in the Belt and Road Initiative projects.
One of China's main projects in the province is the Port of Gwadar, on the Arabian Sea, a transit point for Mideast oil destined for East Asia.
Last year, the BLA claimed responsibility for an operation against Chinese engineers working at the port.
China condemned yesterday’s attack and urged the new Pakistani government to “resolutely fight against terrorist organisations involved in the case”.
“These teachers left their country to teach our children,” said Muhammad Fahim Saleem, a local activist speaking to AsiaNews.
“Many Chinese in Pakistan have been victims of terrorism and yet the lack of interest in them is frightening,” he added. “We will not forget their sacrifice, which will further strengthen the friendship between Pakistan and China.”
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