Two Chinese killed in Karachi terror blast

Two Chinese nationals were killed in an explosion near the international airport of Karachi on Sunday, the Chinese embassy in Pakistan said, in what it described as a "terrorist attack."

Separatist militant group Baloch Liberation Army said the explosion was an attack carried out by them using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device targeting Chinese nationals, including engineers.

Pakistan broadcaster Geo News reported at least 10 people were injured.

The embassy said a convoy from Port Qasim Electric Power was attacked near the airport.

The BLA seeks independence for the province of Balochistan, located in Pakistan's southwest and bordering on Afghanistan and Iran. In August, it launched coordinated attacks in the province, in which more than 70 people were killed.

BLA specifically targets Chinese interests - in particular the strategic port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea, accusing Beijing of helping Islamabad exploit the province. It has previously killed Chinese citizens working in the region and attacked Beijing's consulate in Karachi.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE