In a disturbing incident in Karachi, Pakistan, a suicide bomber targeted a van carrying Japanese autoworkers on Friday. Fortunately, the Japanese nationals narrowly escaped the attack, which resulted in the injury of three bystanders. The van was en route to an industrial area where the Japanese workers were employed at Pakistan Suzuki Motors.
The local police chief confirmed that the police escorting the Japanese nationals retaliated by firing at the attackers, leading to the death of one of the accomplices of the suicide bomber. Despite the chaos, all the Japanese individuals who were the intended targets of the attack emerged unharmed.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif swiftly condemned the attack on the Japanese nationals. They commended the police for their prompt response in thwarting the assault and expressed their commitment to eradicating terrorism. Additionally, they extended their prayers for the swift recovery of the injured bystanders.
Images broadcasted on local news channels depicted the damaged van at the scene of the attack. The police chief reported that the wounded bystanders were in stable condition at a nearby hospital.
Authorities had received intelligence regarding potential threats to foreigners working on Chinese-funded projects in Pakistan, prompting the police to provide security for the Japanese nationals. Thanks to the vigilance of the guards and law enforcement, the attack was successfully foiled, resulting in the elimination of both attackers.
While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, suspicions point towards a small separatist faction or the Pakistani Taliban, known for targeting security forces in recent years. These groups have also posed threats to Chinese individuals involved in various projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a significant initiative encompassing infrastructure development in Pakistan.
Notably, this incident marks the first time Japanese nationals working in Pakistan have been targeted in such an attack. Karachi, the capital of southern Sindh province and the largest city in Pakistan, remains on high alert following the unsettling event.
