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5 Chinese Nationals and 1 Local killed in a Suicide Bomb Attack in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Five Chinese nationals, along with a local, lost their lives in an explosion triggered by a suicide bomber in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to a report by Reuters. The attack occurred as a convoy of Chinese engineers, en route from Islamabad to their camp in Dasu, was targeted by the alleged suicide bomber, who rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into their convoy.
Regional police Chief Mohammad Ali Gandapur confirmed the casualties, stating that the rest of the convoy members were safely evacuated. Bakht Zahir, the Bisham Station House Officer, described the explosion as a "suicide blast," with authorities intensifying efforts to gather evidence at the site.
The convoy reportedly comprised staff from the China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC), involved in the Dasu hydropower project, a site previously targeted in 2021. In response to the attack, the Pakistani Presidency emphasized the enduring partnership between the two nations. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack, reaffirming the strong bond between Pakistan and China. He extended his condolences to the families of the deceased Chinese nationals.
Dasu, a significant area for hydroelectric projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was previously attacked in 2021. The attack resulted in the deaths of nine Chinese nationals and two Pakistani children when a bus carrying engineers and workers to the Dasu Hydropower Project was targeted. Despite initial confusion regarding the incident's nature, subsequent investigations confirmed it as a terrorist attack, dispelling earlier speculation of a bus accident.
The recent attack marks the third assault on Chinese interests in Pakistan within a week, following incidents at an airbase and a strategic port in Balochistan. The attacks come amidst significant Chinese investment in infrastructure projects across Pakistan as part of the Belt and Road Initiative. Security measures have been heightened in response to the attacks, with authorities investigating the source and execution of the suicide bombing in Dasu.
