Pakistan police kill bomber, militant to thwart attack on Japanese nationals

Islamist militants seeking to overthrow the government and set up their own strict brand of Islamic rule have launched some of Pakistan's bloodiest attacks over the last few years, sometimes targeting foreigners, such as Chinese.

Five Japanese nationals had a lucky escape when their vehicle was targeted by militants in a suicide attack here in Pakistan's Sindh province on Friday, police said, in the latest attack on foreign nationals in the country.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) East Azfar Mahesar said the terrorists on a motorbike attempted to hit the van of the Japanese nationals, reportedly working with Pakistan Suzuki Motors, near Murtaza Chorangi in Landhi.

“All five Japanese remained safe. However, the private security guard with them was injured,” he said.

“The Japanese nationals were on the way to the Export Processing Zone from their residence in Zamzama, Clifton,” he said.

Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) DIG Asif Aijaz Shaikh said the Japanese nationals were travelling in a van along with two security guards when the terrorists tried to hit the van.

The security guards killed one terrorist while another blew himself up in an attempt to get close to the van, the official said.

“All five Japanese nationals are safe,” DIG Shaikh said.

“No one has claimed responsibility so far,” the DIG said, adding that the vehicle carrying the Japanese nationals was bullet-proof.

Jinnah Hospital officials said three injured, two security guards and a passerby, were brought to the medical facility out of which two were in critical condition.

The hospital confirmed no foreigner was brought for treatment.

The Japanese nationals worked at Pakistan Suzuki Motors, the official said.

Karachi is the largest city in Pakistan and the capital of southern Sindh province.

Sindh Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon strongly condemned the attack.

“The timely action of the police has foiled the ambitions of the terrorists,” Memon said.

“The nefarious actions of the terrorists will not be allowed to succeed,” he added.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori condemned the suicide attack and demanded a report on the incident.

"Terrorism will not be tolerated in the city under any circumstances," the governor said.

He asked the law enforcement officials to trace the motives behind the incident and apprehend the masterminds.

Small separatist groups and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan have in recent years stepped up attacks on Chinese nationals working on projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which includes a multitude of megaprojects such as road construction, power plants and agriculture.

Last month, five Chinese and their Pakistani driver were killed when a suicide bomber in northwest Pakistan rammed his explosive-laden car into a vehicle when they were heading to the Dasu Dam, the biggest hydropower project in Pakistan, where they worked.

However, the Japanese working in Pakistan have not been the target of any such attacks.

Between March 16 and March 26, insurgents in the restive Balochistan province claimed to have carried out three terror attacks, mostly targeting Chinese nationals and interests.

The Baloch Liberation Army, an outlawed outfit in Balochistan, claimed the attack on Gwadar port, an integral part of the CPEC project, built with Chinese help.