The United States has condemned the suicide attack at the University of Karachi that left three Chinese teachers and a Pakistani driver dead. According to the US, a terrorist attack anywhere is an affront to humanity.
On April 26th, a suicide attack took place at the premises of the University of Karachi outside Confucius Institute. Four people were killed while four others sustained injuries. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack.
US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price condemned the Karachi University attack during a press briefing. He reiterated USA’s stance on the terror attack.
Read more: Karachi blast targets Chinese nationals
“A terrorist attack anywhere is an affront to humanity everywhere, but for a terrorist attack to take place at a university, or at a religious site, or at some of the locations we’ve seen recently – that is a true affront to mankind,” Ned Price said.
“We value our bilateral relationship. We want to continue to work together in areas where we do have mutual interests with our Pakistani partners. That includes counterterrorism. That includes border security as well,” Ned Price further added.
#WATCH: At least four people, including three citizens of #China, were killed in the southern #Pakistani port of #Karachi on Tuesday in a suicide blast More here: https://t.co/5r6opWZtD6 pic.twitter.com/fKyvg8boeK
— Arab News (@arabnews) April 26, 2022
A shocking incident
The incident raised serious security concerns in Pakistan, especially for Chinese nationals living and working within the country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the Pakistani government will conduct an in-depth probe into the incident, give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators, and strengthen the security of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions in Pakistan in an all-around way.
On the other hand, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Jianghao demanded that the Pakistani side should immediately make a thorough investigation of the incident, apprehend and punish the perpetrators to the full extent of the law, and take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in Pakistan and prevent such incidents from happening again.
Pertinent to mention, BLA is notorious for targetting Chinese personnel. To clarify, BLA is against China investing heavily in Balochistan’s roads, power stations, and the Arabian Sea port of Gwadar. Furthermore, it accuses Beijing of looting and taking away their resources without providing benefits to the local residents.
Pertinent to mention, the suicide bomber in the Karachi University incident was a woman. 31-year-old Shari Baloch was BLA’s first female suicide bomber.
Read more: Karachi blast: Who was female suicide bomber Shari Baloch?
The arrival of a female suicide bomber has alarmed Pakistan’s security analysts, who say the attack demonstrates the “remorseless radicalisation” of the separatists waging a bloody rebellion for more than 20 years. Until recently, the Baloch separatists denounced suicide bombing, especially by women.