Pakistan: Attack on Chinese Consulate in Karachi November 23

Event

The Chinese Consulate in Karachi (Sindh province) was attacked on Friday, November 23, at around 09:15 (local time). Assailants opened fire at a security checkpoint outside the building before detonating a hand grenade. The ensuing exchange of fire reportedly lasted up to an hour. Reports indicate that two policemen and two civilians were killed, along with three assailants. One of the attackers was reportedly wearing a suicide vest that did not detonate. The Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The consulate area, which is located in an upscale and high-security area of Karachi, has been cordoned off. Heightened security measures are in place throughout the city.

Separately, an improvised explosive device (IED) attack occurred on the same day in a market in Kalaya, a remote area of a tribal district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, some 60 km (35 mi) from the provincial capital Peshawar. Over 20 people have been killed and 50 others wounded; no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Context

The Baloch Liberation Army reportedly carried out the Karachi attack in retaliation for Chinese military presence in the restive Baluchistan province, where China intends to build a naval base at Gwadar Port. The province is also at the heart of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) strategic cooperation deal.

Advice

Individuals in Karachi should continue to avoid the affected area until the situation normalizes, monitor the situation, and obey all instructions issued by the local authorities.
As a reminder, due to the high threat of terrorism, kidnapping, and sectarian violence throughout the country, many Western governments advise their citizens against nonessential travel to Pakistan, with the exception of the capital Islamabad.