A Chinese national was shot dead in a suspected targeted attack in DHA, here on Monday. Unidentified armed men riding a car opened multiple fires targeting a Chinese national in his vehicle in Zamzama area, police said, adding that they fled the scene leaving him in a pool of blood. Two bullets hit the upper torso of Chinese national while his friend who is also a Chinese national remained unhurt. However, a passerby, identified as Hassan Abbas, was wounded in what appeared to be unintended consequence.
The victims were rushed to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for medical aid. Dr Seemi Jamali, the head of the emergency department at the JPMC confirmed that the foreigner succumbed to injuries during treatment due to massive bleeding. "It appeared a targeted killing incident," DIG South Azad Khan told the media. The victim was shot after being followed by armed assailants.
Khan said that security was provided to the Chinese nationals; however, the victim was not accompanied by his security at the time of the attack. Police recovered seven empty bullet cases from the crime scene and sent the same for forensic examinations. Following the incident, heavy contingent of police rushed to the site, and cordoned off the area. Security has been beefed up for foreigners, particularly Chinese nationals across the province right after the attack.
Meanwhile, the Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal inquired about the health of the injured citizen at the JPMC, where he said the perpetrators of the attack would be brought to book as the investigations have been initiated to trace them. Reuters adds: A Chinese man working with a shipping company was shot dead on Monday in what police described as a targeted attack in Karachi, police and hospital officials said.
While there was no claim of responsibility and the motive was not immediately clear, China in December warned its nationals in Pakistan of plans for imminent attacks on Chinese targets there. Chinese presence is growing in Pakistan as Beijing has pledged $57 billion for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship "Belt and Road" project that first focused on Chinese firms building roads and power stations but is now expanding to include setting up industries.
The man, identified as Chen Zhu, 45, was in his car when he was attacked in an upmarket area of the port city. At least 10 shots were fired at the car, and Chen suffered a single bullet wound in the head, police said. "The incident appears to be targeted attack, (it) doesn't looks a mugging," Azad Khan, deputy inspector general of south zone, told Reuters.
"The victim is associated with Cosco Shipping Lines Co, a Chinese shipping company. We are trying to get further details," Khan added. Another officer, Javed Akbar Riaz, told Reuters that Chen had an employee ID from Cosco. The shipping company could not be reached for comment in Karachi on Monday. Hospital officials said Zhu was admitted in a critical condition, but later died.