Authorities in Pakistan's Sindh province have formed a joint interrogation team (JIT) to investigate two suspects allegedly involved in the October suicide attack on a Chinese convoy near Karachi Airport.
The attack, which occurred on October 6, resulted in the deaths of two Chinese engineers and one Pakistani national, escalating tensions between Pakistan and China. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the bombing, and the police filed a first information report (FIR) three days later, implicating BLA leaders and others.
According to The Dawn newspaper, the Sindh Home Department established the JIT following the arrest of the suspects during an intelligence-based operation earlier this month. The suspects, Muhammad Javed alias Sameer and his accomplice Gul Nisa, were apprehended near Umar Goth Chowk in Karachi while riding a motorcycle.
A notification from Additional Chief Secretary Muhammad Iqbal Memon of the Home Department revealed that the JIT was formed at the request of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). The team will be led by the CTD DIG and include senior officials from the Inter-Services Intelligence, Federal Investigation Agency's Counter-Terrorism Wing, Pakistan Rangers, Military Intelligence, Sindh Intelligence Bureau, Sindh police's special branch, and Karachi police. The JIT has been tasked with investigating the attack and submitting a report within 15 days.
The FIR stated that the suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden Toyota Hilux into the convoy carrying Chinese nationals near the Civil Aviation Authority guard room at the airport's outer signal. The police identified BLA commanders Bashir Ahmed alias Bashir Zeb and Abdul Rehman alias Rehman Gul, among others, as co-accused. The FIR also mentioned that BLA leaders had indoctrinated the bomber to target Chinese nationals and security personnel in the attack.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard