Chinese national shot dead in Karachi's Defence area

KARACHI: A Chinese national was shot dead in a suspected targeted attack in Karachi’s Defence locality by unknown assailants on Monday, police officials said.

The man, identified as Chen Zhu, 45, was in his car when he was attacked. At least 10 shots were fired at the car, and Chen suffered bullet wounds in the head, police said.

DIG South Azad Khan said the incident appeared to be targeted attack. The senior police official confirmed that security was provided to the Chinese national, however, he was not accompanied by his security detail at the time of the attack.

A police statement released later in the evening confirmed that Zhu was the MD of Cosco Saeed Karachi Shipping Pvt Ltd.

The shipping company could not be reached for comment.

Police said the two foreign nationals left their office, situated in the Lalazar locality, and had lunch at China Town. 

"After having lunch, they moved towards Neelum Colony opposite Zamzama Park for purchasing vegetables/fruits. They were sitting in their vehicle," said the statement released by the Sindh Police.

"They were sitting in the vehicle parked on the road. Suddenly, a well-built assailant opened fire from the front side of the vehicle, critically injuring Mr Chen Zhu," added the statement. 

Police took the second foreign national into protective custody after the incident. A citizen also suffered minor injuries in the attack.

The police, in their statement, added that the Chinese nationals did not take their security detail today which is against standard operating procedures. 

The assailant managed to flee from the crime scene after the attack and law enforcers managed to recover nine spent casings from the weapon used in the fatal attack.

Police said that the weapon used for the crime was a new 9mm pistol

A spokesperson from Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) confirmed the Chinese national died while under treatment.

Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal reached the hospital after the incident and inquired about the health of the injured citizen. Siyal said the perpetrators of the attack would be brought to justice. DIG South has been nominated as the investigation officer for the case.

A First Information Report (FIR) of the incident has been registered with the Counter-Terrorism Department. 

Thousands of Chinese engineers and technicians are working in Pakistan.

China is ramping up investment as part of the $54 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, upgrading infrastructure, power and transport links between its far-western Xinjiang region and Pakistan's Gwadar port.

COVER: A Pakistani policeman stands beside a bullet-ridden car of Chinese nationals after an attack by gunmen in Zamzama district of Karachi, Pakistan, February 5, 2018. AFP/Asif Hassan