Five Chinese killed in suicide blast

Pakistan has seen an upsurge in high-profile terrorist attacks since the new government took up the rein of power following the Feb 8 elections. Terrorists have carried out multiple brazen attacks in the northwest and southwest of the country, targeting the security forces and foreign interests in an attempt to destabilise the internal security situation and sow discord between Pakistan and its strategic allies, especially China.

Hours after security forces successfully fended off an attack by Baloch terrorists on a Pakistan Navy bases in Turbat district of Balochistan, a vehicle-borne suicide bomber targeted a convoy escorting Chinese engineers in the remote Besham area of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday, killing six people.

The Chinese engineers were en route from Islamabad to their camp in Dasu – the district headquarters of the Upper Kohistan district of K-P. Their vehicle was hit by an explosive-laden vehicle, coming from the opposite direction, near Lahore Nala on the Karakoram Highway.

According to a Chinese Embassy statement, a Chinese company’s bus, carrying staff, working on the Dasu Hydropower Project, was hit by terrorist attack at around 1pm. Malakand Deputy Inspector General Muhammad Ali Gandapur confirmed the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.

The Chinese engineers’ vehicle was thrown off the mountainous road into a deep ravine by the impact of the blast, killing all six on board, including five Chinese engineers and their Pakistani driver. The security forces reached the spot, shut the strategic highway for traffic on both sides and launched investigation.

The area around Dasu – the construction site of the major hydropower project – has witnessed terrorist attacks in the past also. In 2021, 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals, were killed, and around two dozen others injured in a bus explosion.

The deadly suicide attack came hours after terrorists attempted to attack Pakistan’s naval base PNS Siddique in Turbat which was thwarted due to the swift and effective response by troops ensuring the safety and security of personnel and assets.

According to the military’s media wing, the ISPR, security forces in the vicinity were immediately mobilised to support the naval troops. “Synergetic & effective response by the armed forces enabled killing of all four terrorists in ensuing joint clearance operation,” it added. “However, during intense fire exchange, Sepoy Noman Fareed, aged 24 years and resident of Muzaffargarh, of Frontier Corps Balochistan, having fought gallantly, embraced shahadat.”

A sanitisation operation was launched in the area as the ISPR said, “Pakistan Armed Forces remain committed to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country at all costs.”

The two high-profile attacks came on the heels of a brazen Baloch terrorist attack on Gwadar Port Authority complex, seven kilometres from the port itself and operated by China Overseas Ports Holding as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). As many as five security personnel were martyred in the attack in which all eight attackers were eliminated.

Meanwhile in other violence, security forces carried out an IBO in Dera Ismail Khan district and neutralised at least four terrorists who were involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces and the killing of innocent civilians. Three of the dead terrorists have been identified as Mustafa, Qismatullah, and Islamuddin.

According to the military’s media wing, the recent incidents of terrorism, notably in Gwadar, Turbat, and Besham, were dastardly acts aimed at destabilising the internal security situation, adding that foreign elements were complicit in aiding and abetting terrorism in the country.

“While the first two attempts were successfully thwarted by the armed forces, the latest incident at Besham led to the loss of 6 innocent civilians including 5 Chinese nationals,” the ISPR said. “The whole nation stands in solidarity with our Chinese brothers and unequivocally condemns this cowardly act.”

With the unwavering support of the nation and iron-clad ally China, the ISPR said, “we will ensure that all those involved in aiding terrorism, directly or indirectly, are held accountable and find their due comeuppance”.

(WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)