KARACHI — Three Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver were killed in an explosion in the southern city of Karachi, police said.

The blast ripped through their van, injuring at least four others near the university's Confucius Institute.

Police have yet to determine the cause of the blast — but the separatist Baloch Liberation Army said the van was attacked by a female suicide bomber.

The group opposes Chinese investment in Pakistan, saying locals do not benefit.

If confirmed, it would be the first time an attack by the group has been carried out by a female militant.

The group has targeted Chinese nationals on a number of occasions, as has the Pakistani Taliban.

China is heavily involved in large infrastructure projects across Pakistan, including in resource-rich Balochistan province.

The explosion occurred at 1:52 p.m. in a van near the Confucius Institute — a Chinese language teaching center at Karachi University.

Following the blast, rescue and security agencies rushed to the location and cordoned off the areas, initiating rescue operations.

The deceased Chinese nationals have been identified as the director of the Confucius Institute Huang Guiping, Ding Mupeng, Chen Sai, and their Pakistani driver, Khalid.

Police sources said the van entered the premises through the Maskan gate of the university. Of the four people who sustained injuries, two have been identified as Chinese national Wang Yuqing and a security guard named Hamid.

The explosion was initially reported to have been caused by a gas cylinder. However, the police later said that the blast could have been a suicide attack.

Sources further added that the victims were returning to the Confucius Institute from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA).

In Charge of the Counterterrorism Department (CTD) Raja Umar Khattab confirmed that it was a suicide attack and a burqa-clad woman seen in the CCTV footage was responsible for it.

"A separatist group has also claimed responsibility for the attack," Khattab said, adding that the terrorists, after surveillance, targeted the vehicle carrying the foreigners.

He added that Rangers personnel were present alongside the vehicle on their motorbikes when the explosion occurred.

"The explosive material used in the blast does not seem to be local-made," Khattab said, adding that the explosive material consisted of ball-bearings and was contained in a schoolbag.

Earlier, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) East Muqaddas Haider, while speaking to Geo News, had said that it is the bomb disposal squad’s responsibility to determine the nature of the blast, adding that the process of identification was under way.

Taking notice of the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed the deputy commissioner (DC) East and Superintendent of Police (SP) east to reach the spot of the blast immediately.

The Sindh CM issued directives to shift the injured to the Dow University Hospital, situated near the University of Karachi. He directed officials to ensure the provision of all facilities to prevent any casualties.

The chief minister has also asked the Karachi commissioner for a detailed report of the blast.

CM Shah also reached the Chinese Consulate and briefed the consul general on the explosion at the University of Karachi.

He expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise of three Chinese nationals in the explosion and assured the consul general of a thorough probe into the blast.

The chief minister said that the government assigns great value to the services of Chinese expatriates in the country and the province.

The Chinese Li Bijian thanked the chief minister for his visit and said he was in contact with the families of three Chinese nationals killed in the blast.

“Whatever decision is taken in respect of shifting the dead bodies back to China would be informed to the Sindh government,” Li Bijian said.

Strongly condemning the explosion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives.

"I am deeply grieved on the loss of precious lives including of our Chinese friends in the heinous attack in Karachi today. My heartfelt condolences go to the bereaved families. I strongly condemn this cowardly act of terrorism. The perpetrators will surely be brought to justice," he tweeted.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf and Deputy Speaker Zahid Akram too condemned the blast.

Condemning the blast, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed his sorrow over the incident and sent heartfelt condolences to the people of China on behalf of Pakistan.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan also condemned the blast and said demanded a thorough investigation into the matter. He also sent his condolences to the bereaved family members of the deceased. The former premier demanded the Sindh government provide adequate facilities to the injured. — Agencies