In a tragic incident, five Chinese nationals and a Pakistani driver have been killed after a suicide attacker rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into their convoy near Besham city in northwest Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The incident happened around 1 p.m. local time on March 26.
Local police chief Bakhat Zahir said that the five killed were construction workers and engineers heading from Islamabad to the Dasu Dam, the site of a key hydroelectric dam being constructed by a Chinese company, about 270km from the capital.
Rescue officials said the vehicle carrying the Chinese nationals fell into a gorge after the blast and at least two bodies were badly burnt. No armed group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
Thousands of Chinese nationals work in Shangla on projects relating to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which includes a multitude of megaprojects such as road construction, power plants and agriculture.
Pakistan condemns attack
Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership condemned the attack and offered condolences to the families of the Chinese citizens.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the Chinese Embassy where he met with the Chinese ambassador, Jiang Zaidong. PM Sharif condemned the attack, saying those who orchestrated the attack would be punished and a high-level investigation will be conducted into the attack. “The sympathies of the entire nation, including me, are with the families of the Chinese citizens” who were killed in the attack, he said.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the attack in a statement on Tuesday and offered condolences to the families of the deceased.
Pakistan’s military denounced the attack and said in a statement that “Such heinous acts of violence against innocent civilians, foreigners and the armed forces will not deter the resolve of the Pakistani people, its security forces and our partners to root out the menace (of) terrorism from our country”.
China demands a thorough investigation
In a statement, the Chinese Embassy condemned the attack and said it has requested Pakistan to “thoroughly investigate the attack” and ensure the safety of its citizens in the country.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday that China strongly condemns the terrorist attack. “We express deep condolences to the deceased and extend sincere sympathies to the bereaved families.”
The spokesperson also added that “China asks Pakistan to thoroughly investigate the incident as soon as possible, hunt down the perpetrators, and bring them to justice, said the spokesperson.”
Meanwhile, the Chinese government has asked Pakistan to “take effective measures to ensure the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions in Pakistan. China is working with Pakistan on the follow-up operation with an all-out effort.”
Surge in terror attacks
The attack comes less than a week after Pakistani security forces killed eight Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants who opened fire on a convoy carrying Chinese citizens outside the Chinese-funded Gwadar port in Balochistan province.
The Shangla attack came on the same day Pakistan’s biggest naval air station PNS Siddique near Turbat, Balochistan, faced a terrorist attack. The security forces said that they promptly foiled the attack. “Six terrorists have been killed outside of the Turbat airport boundary, ensuring the safety of the base,” security officials said on Monday night, adding that a special operation wing of FC and the navy’s special services group successfully isolated the terrorists. They added that “No loss of sensitive naval installations reported.”