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A rescue worker sits in an ambulance with the body of a Chinese man who was working with a shipping company in Pakistan, after he was shot dead in what police described as a targeted attack in Karachi, Pakistan, on February 5, 2018. Photo: Reuters

Chinese worker killed in ‘targeted attack’ after his car was riddled with bullets in Karachi, Pakistan

The 45-year-old victim, Chen Zhu, was in his car when at least 10 shots were fired at him, with one striking him in the head

Pakistan

A Chinese man working with a shipping company in Pakistan 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, the China government in December warned its nationals in Pakistan about plans for imminent attacks on Chinese targets there.

The man, identified as Chen Zhu, 45, was in his car when he was attacked in an upmarket area of the port city of Karachi.

At least 10 shots were fired at the car, and Chen suffered a single bullet wound in the head, police said.

Hospital officials said Zhu was admitted in a critical condition, but later died. 

“The incident appears to be [a] targeted attack, [it] doesn’t look [like] a mugging,” said Azad Khan, deputy inspector general of Karachi’s south zone.

“The victim is associated with Cosco Shipping Lines Co, a Chinese shipping company. We are trying to get further details,” Khan added.

A man talks on his mobile phone standing outside Trauma Unit after a Chinese man, working for a shipping company in Pakistan, was shot dead on Monday in what police described as a targeted attack in Karachi, Pakistan February 5, 2018. Photo: Reuters

Another officer, Javed Akbar Riaz, confirmed that Chen had an employee ID from Cosco.

The shipping company could not be reached for comment in Karachi on Monday.

Tens of thousands of Chinese nationals have come to Pakistan, but the new arrivals face dangers, creating a headache for Pakistani security officials.

Chinese presence is growing in Pakistan as Beijing has pledged US$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.

Islamic State’s abduction and killing last June of two Chinese nationals in the southwestern province of Baluchistan highlighted the security risks that have put off many Western companies.

Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, still has a reputation for gang shootings and other violence, despite a paramilitary crackdown that began in 2013 and sharply reduced killings.

Two employees of a shipping firm were targeted in an upscale neighbourhood while out shopping for groceries on Monday.

Khan says the perpetrators fired nine shots before fleeing in a car. He says one victim was shot twice in the head and died at a hospital while the other was shot in the leg.

China has invested heavily in transport projects in Pakistan as the two countries have strengthened ties in recent years.

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