Suicide Bombing Kills 5 Chinese Citizens in Pakistan
1.Introduction:
Police in northern Pakistan reported a tragic incident on Tuesday, where at least five Chinese nationals and their local driver lost their lives in a suicide bombing. This attack, which occurred on the main highway linking Pakistan to China, has been swiftly denounced by Beijing as a terrorist act.
2.Details of the Attack:
The victims were traveling to the Chinese-funded Dasu hydropower project under construction in the district of Kohistan when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into their convoy. This marks one of the deadliest attacks on Chinese nationals in recent years.
3.Reactions and Responses:
- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack and conveyed his condolences to the victims’ families and the government in China.
- The Chinese Embassy in Islamabad demanded a thorough investigation into the bombing and urged Pakistani authorities to enhance the safety of Chinese citizens, institutions, and projects.
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the Chinese Embassy to offer condolences.
4.Previous Attacks and Security Concerns:
This is not the first attack targeting Chinese nationals in Pakistan. In mid-2021, a suicide car bombing killed nine Chinese nationals and three local co-workers. Thousands of Chinese engineers and laborers are working in Pakistan, mostly associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
5.Government Responses:
The Pakistani government has vowed to act against forces hostile to Pakistan-China friendship and ensure the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions in the country.
6.Criticism and Security Breach:
Mushahid Hussain, head of the Pakistan-China Institute, criticized the government, stating that its commitments to provide foolproof security to Chinese workers ring hollow in the wake of repeated attacks.
7.Continued Attacks in the Region:
The attack came a day after separatist insurgents stormed Pakistan’s second-largest naval aviation base in Baluchistan province. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack.
8.Conclusion:
The safety of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, especially those involved in the CPEC projects, remains a significant concern. It is crucial for both countries to work together to ensure the security of these projects and individuals involved in them.
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So sad