A convoy traveling through Bisham tehsil in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Shangla district was attacked, resulting in the loss of lives of five Chinese nationals and one Pakistani individual. The convoy, comprising Chinese engineers en route from Islamabad to their camp in Dasu, was ambushed by a suicide bomber who rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the convoy.
According to reports from regional authorities, including the regional police chief and a station house officer (SHO), the attack left a grim toll on the convoy. Mohammad Ali Gandapur, the regional police chief, confirmed the casualties, expressing deep sorrow over the tragic incident. “Five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver were killed in the attack,” Gandapur stated.
Security forces immediately reached to the scene, tightening security measures in the area. The provincial police, upon arrival, commenced investigations into the attack, aiming to ascertain the circumstances leading to the fatal assault.
Bakht Zahir, SHO of Bisham, corroborated the details of the attack, labeling it a “suicide blast” and confirming the loss of lives, which included five Chinese engineers and one Pakistani national. Zahir emphasized the ongoing efforts to gather evidence and secure the area, with heightened security protocols in place.
Rescue operations were promptly initiated, with the bodies of the victims being transported to the Bisham Tehsil Headquarters Hospital for further procedures. Sheraz Khan, the head of Rescue 1122 station, provided insight into the aftermath of the attack, highlighting the challenges faced by rescue teams in retrieving the victims from the scene, which included a vehicle engulfed in flames and perched in a gorge.
The incident has drawn condemnation from various quarters, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack, reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to its friendship with China. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi echoed similar sentiments, condemning the “cowardly act of terrorism” and extending heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.