At least five Japanese nationals escaped unhurt after the vehicle in which they were travelling was targeted by a suicide attacker in Pakistan's Karachi city, media reports said.

The suicide bomber was killed in the attack while an accomplice was gunned down by police, officials told Dawn News.

A private security guard accompanying the Japanese national died after succumbing to his injuries while two bystanders were also injured, officials added.

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

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

Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) DIG Asif Aijaz Shaikh told Dawn.com that the Japanese nationals were travelling in a van along with two security guards when a suicide bomber on a motorcycle hit them.

“All five Japanese nationals are safe,” DIG Shaikh said. He further said that another “suicide bomber” who was there for “backup” was gunned down by a Sharafi Goth police party patrolling the area.

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

CTD in-charge Raja Umar Khattab said the officials gunned down the second terrorist.

 “From what I checked, the terrorist fired about 15 rounds. Other than that, he also had some grenades,” Khattab said.

He told the newspaper that one of the suspects was identified as Sohail Ahmed, 30, a resident of Balochistan’s Panjgur in Balochistan.

The CTD official said the suspect was reportedly affiliated with the outlawed Baloch Republican Army and was “missing” from his home since 2022.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the incident.