Separatists warn China of more attacks
A PAKISTAN separatist group warned yesterday of more deadly attacks on Chinese targets, a day after a woman suicide bomber killed four people – including three teachers posted from Beijing.
The Baloch Liberation Army – one of several groups fighting for independence in Pakistan’s biggest province – claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s blast, saying it was the first time a woman had “self-sacrificed” for the group. Chinese nationals and interests have regularly been targeted by separatists in Balochistan, where Beijing is involved in lucrative mining and energy projects.
“Hundreds of highly trained male and female members of the Baloch Liberation Army’s Majeed Brigade are ready to carry out deadly attacks in any part of Balochistan and Pakistan,” spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said in a statement published in English. He threatened Beijing with “even harsher” attacks unless the neighbouring country halted its “exploitation projects” and “occupying of the Pakistani state”.
Three Chinese teachers and a Pakistani driver were killed near the gate of the Confucius Institute at Karachi University, when the bomber detonated explosives next to their minibus.
A security official at the university said he had previously raised concerns about the safety of 15 Chinese staff on the campus. “Reports emerged in February that an attack might be carried out on campus,” said the source.
The bomber was named as 30-yearold Shaari Baloch, a married mother of an 8-year-old girl and 4-year-old boy, the BLA said, adding that she was a science teacher studying for a Master’s degree. She posted a goodbye message on Twitter about 10 hours before the attack. Her husband is a dentist and her extended family is well-established, highly educated and known to be peaceful. One of her uncles is an author, a former professor and human rights campaigner.
Suicide attacks by women are rare in Pakistan, reported only four times in recent years.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Pakistan to ensure the safety of all Chinese citizens and interests in the country and to launch a full investigation. It also advised citizens to “take strict precautions, and do not go out unless necessary”.
China is upgrading energy links and infrastructure as part of a $54 billion programme known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, with both nations wary of security threats to the projects.