This photo taken on Oct. 7, 2024 shows destroyed cars at the site of a terrorist attack near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, the capital city of Pakistan's south Sindh province. Two Chinese nationals were killed, one Chinese national injured, and several Pakistani nationals were killed and injured in a terrorist attack in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Sunday night, the Chinese embassy in Pakistan confirmed. (Photo: Xinhua)

Two Chinese nationals were killed and one was injured after a convoy carrying Chinese staff of the Port Qasim Electric Power Company (Private) Limited was attacked near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi around 11 pm on Sunday. The attack also caused casualties among Pakistani personnel. 

Observers said that in the face of provocations by terrorists who seek to undermine Pakistani development and China-Pakistan cooperation, China and Pakistan need to work more closely. They emphasized the importance of ongoing anti-terror efforts by Pakistan and warned of instability factors stemming from external forces.

In response to the terror attack, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday that China is deeply shocked by the attack against Chinese citizens and strongly condemns this terrorist act.

Terrorism is a common enemy of humanity. The attempts of terrorist forces to undermine China-Pakistan trust and cooperation and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will not succeed, the spokesperson said.

China will continue to support Pakistan's counterterrorism effort, and stands ready to work with Pakistan to foil any attempt to sabotage China-Pakistan relations, the spokesperson said.

The Chinese Embassy and consulates general in Pakistan strongly condemned the terrorist attack, expressed deep condolences to the innocent victims of both countries, and offered sincere sympathies to the injured and their families. They were making every effort to handle the aftermath in collaboration with the Pakistani side, according to a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy on Monday.

The Chinese side launched an immediate emergency plan and requested the Pakistani side to thoroughly investigate the attack, severely punish the perpetrators, and take all necessary measures to protect the safety of Chinese citizens, institutions and projects in Pakistan. 

The embassy reminded Chinese citizens, enterprises, and projects in Pakistan to be vigilant, pay close attention to the security situation, strengthen security measures, and make every effort to take safety precautions.

The separatist militant group the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) said in a statement that it had "targeted a high-level convoy of Chinese engineers and investors" coming from Karachi's airport, AFP reported. 

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sahrif said he is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic incident. He strongly condemned the "heinous act" and offered his heartfelt condolences to the Chinese leadership and the people of China, particularly the families of the victims. 

"May the injured recover soon. The perpetrators of this dastardly incident cannot be Pakistanis but are sworn enemies of Pakistan. An immediate investigation is underway to identify them and bring them to justice. Pakistan stands committed to safeguarding our Chinese friends. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure their security & well-being," Sharif said on social media platform X on Monday.

In a separate statement from the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs obtained by the Global Times, the ministry said that Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan and will work closely with the Chinese government to defeat the forces of terror. 

In March 2024, five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani national were killed by a suicide bomb near the China-invested Dasu hydropower project. Pakistan enhanced security measures following that incident. In 2021, nine Chinese engineers were killed in a similar attack near Dasu.

Cheng Xizhong, a senior research fellow specializing in South Asian affairs, told the Global Times on Monday that the recent terror attack highlights ongoing instability factors in Pakistan, which poses a threat to the local economic and social activities. 

He said that the primary cause of the current security challenges in Pakistan stems from terrorist forces spilling over from other countries, along with the influence of external forces seeking to hold back Pakistan's development. 

The terror attack should not hinder or hurt the China-Pakistan friendship and mutual trust, Cheng said, emphasizing that China will continue to work closely with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and will move overall security situation in the country in a healthier direction.