{O/C} In Pakistan, a van carrying Chinese nationals teaching at the Chinese-built Confucius Institute in the southern city of Karachi was subjected to a suicide bombing.
Three Chinese nationals and the driver were killed and two others injured.
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This surveillance video purports to show a burqa-clad female approaching the van, detonating the suicide bomb followed by a blast near the University of Karachi.
Apart from the driver, the deceased Chinese nationals on board the bomb-wrecked van included the director of the Chinese-built Confucius Institute as well as two instructors there.
Another Chinese national and a Pakistan guard accompanying that van were also injured.
The Baloch Liberation Army, one of several groups battling for independence in Pakistan, has claimed responsibility for the heinous blast, boasting it was their first suicide attack committed by a female assailant identified as Shari Baluch.
The militant group mainly operates in the restive Balochistan province, given Beijing's involvement in major infrastructure projects as part of its multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative in Balochistan.
Knowing it was the first major attack in an urban area since taking the helm had Prime Minister Sharif condemning the attack as cowardly. He also expressed his condolences to the victims' families, assuring the perpetrators will be held culpable.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry termed it a blatant attack on Pakistan-China friendship.
The Chinese Embassy in Islamabad denounced the terror attack. It has exhorted Pakistan to strain every sinew to tend to the wounded, calling for a rigorous probe to punish the perpetrator to the fullest extent.
This, in addition to requesting that Chinese nationals be protected and its citizens give a wide berth to potentially dangerous areas.
Terrorists have been playing fast and loose with Chinese nationals in Pakistan. Two bomb attacks last year just three months apart killed a total of 17.
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