Pakistani rangers stand in front of the Chinese consulate after an attack in Karachi on Friday

Friday’s attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi triggered an intense shoot-out that left seven, including the assailants, dead

India has denied helping Baluchistan insurgents, who claimed the attack

The suicide bomber that targeted the Chinese consulate in Karachi used a foreign-made C4 plastic explosive, said Pakistani police, who suggested that the attack was orchestrated in India.

Counter-terrorism officer Umar Khitab said that authorities were investigating whether Baluch separatist commander Aslam Achhu, who they believe masterminded the attack, was in India.

The Baluch Liberation Army claimed the attack, and Khitab said the group is backed by “the enemy country”, a reference to India.

There was no immediate comment from India’s External Affairs Ministry about the C4 plastic explosive claims.

However in an earlier statement, India denied helping the Baluchistan insurgents and was quick to condemn the violence.

Explosives recovered from a bag are displayed after the attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi. Photo: EPA

“The perpetrators of this heinous attack should be brought to justice expeditiously,” India’s foreign ministry said.

Two other Pakistani officials said four suspects, who allegedly facilitated three attackers, were arrested in Karachi and other Sindh province towns.

Policewoman who defended Chinese consulate in Karachi commended for her courage

Friday’s attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi triggered an intense shoot-out that left all three assailants, two police officers and two civilians dead.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan called it “part of conspiracy” against Pakistani and Chinese economic and strategic cooperation and ordered an inquiry, his office said.

Pakistan has long accused its old rival, India, of supporting the nationalist insurgents in Baluchistan, while India accused Pakistan of nurturing Islamist militants throughout the region.

A spokesman for the BLA confirmed there were three attackers.

“China is exploiting our resources,” spokesman Jiand Baloch said.

China has funded development of a deep water port at Gwadar in south Baluchistan, and is also investing in other projects on a China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Baluchistan, which is on the borders of Afghanistan and Iran, has rich mineral and natural gas reserves but is Pakistan’s poorest province.

Separatists have for decades campaigned against what they see as the unfair exploitation of resources, in particular natural gas and minerals.

The Chinese government’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, said he was “shocked” by the attack and urged Pakistan to prevent any more such incidents.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said China would “continue unswervingly” to work with Pakistan to develop economic projects.