A terrorist attack targeted Japanese citizens after their vehicle was attacked by a suicide bomber in Karachi’s Landhi area. The foreign nationals remained safe while two terrorists involved in the barbaric attack were killed, according to the police.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) East Azfar Mahesar told Dawn that the incident took place near Murtaza Chorangi in Landhi, adding that the five foreign nations were travelling in a Hiace van.

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

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

There was another suicide bomber who was there for ‘backup’. He was gunned down by the Sharafi Goth police party patrolling the area.

Some users on X (formerly Twitter) pointed out that the Japanese nationals might have been mistaken as Chinese since terrorists in Pakistan have been increasingly targeting Chinese nationals, most recently in Shangla where five Chinese nationals lost their lives.

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