Sindh’s Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar on Monday announced the arrest of the mastermind behind the recent suicide attack targeting Chinese engineers near Karachi airport.

In a press conference alongside Inspector General Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon, the minister also confirmed the apprehension of a woman facilitator involved in orchestrating the attack.

Lanjar provided details on the suicide bombing incident, which took place at the airport signal, resulting in the deaths of two Chinese nationals and a Pakistani citizen.

The attack, for which the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility, marked another instance of rising security challenges targeting foreign nationals and critical infrastructure.

“The security forces swiftly initiated investigations, focusing on the vehicle and its origins,” Lanjar said. “With the help of CCTV footage, we identified the suicide bomber and two facilitators, uncovering details that led to the female accomplice’s arrest.”

The interior minister revealed that the explosives-packed vehicle, weighing an estimated 30 to 40 kilograms, was originally brought from Karachi and transported from Hub on October 4, 2024. Authorities traced the vehicle’s purchase to a Karachi-based showroom, where it was acquired for Rs 7.1 million, paid via bank transfer.

Officials named the suicide bomber as Shah Fahad, also known as Aftab. Further investigation connected a rickshaw to the incident, with its driver, Farhan, and an associate named Muhammad Sharif also identified as involved.

Lanjar commended the investigative efforts, announcing a reward of Rs 5 crore for the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) team and recommending Quaid-e-Azam and Pakistan Police Medals for key officers involved.

The minister expressed regret over the involvement of women in terror facilitation, describing it as a troubling exploitation of cultural values that traditionally afford women respect and protection. “These organizations are using women for heinous purposes, which is against our cultural norms of respect,” he stated.