In a tragic incident in northwest Pakistan, a suicide bomber targeted a vehicle carrying construction workers and engineers heading to the Dasu Dam, the largest hydropower project in Pakistan. The attack took place in Shangla, a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, resulting in the deaths of five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver.
Authorities confirmed that the bodies were taken to a nearby hospital, and security forces immediately initiated a search operation in the area to apprehend any potential accomplices. While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, suspicion points towards Baluch separatists, who have been involved in similar incidents in the past.
This tragic event follows a recent encounter where Pakistani security forces neutralized eight Baluchistan Liberation Army militants who had targeted a convoy of Chinese citizens near the Chinese-funded Gwadar port in Baluchistan province. The BLA, seeking independence from the central government in Islamabad, has been a source of unrest in the region.
Pakistan's leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, swiftly condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the families of the victims. The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan also denounced the violence and urged for a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Thousands of Chinese nationals are actively involved in projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Shangla, which encompasses various infrastructure initiatives crucial for Pakistan's economic development. The CPEC, a key component of China's Belt and Road Initiative, aims to enhance connectivity and trade between the two nations.
Despite the challenges posed by such attacks, Pakistan remains committed to ensuring the safety of foreign nationals and securing CPEC-related projects. The military reiterated its determination to combat terrorism and safeguard the interests of its citizens and international partners.
