Security personnel inspect the site of a suicide attack near Besham city in the Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan, March 26, 2024. /CFP
Multiple Pakistani authorities and high-ranking officials have condemned the Dasu bomb attack in northwest Pakistan and vowed to investigate and take further measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in the country.
At around 1 p.m. on March 26, five Chinese and one Pakistani national were killed in a terrorist attack on a convoy of the Dasu Hydropower Project undertaken by a Chinese company in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.
Pakistan's military will thoroughly investigate the attack and take further measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in the country, said Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir.
Munir said he was deeply shocked by the attack and expressed deep condolences to the Chinese victims and sincere sympathy to the relatives of the victims during his phone call with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong on Tuesday.
Noting that security forces are stepping up and dealing with the aftermath, Munir said the Pakistan military will investigate the case, inform the Chinese side of any progress made, and take further measures to comprehensively strengthen the security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan.
Other Pakistani authorities also condemned the terror attack and vowed a strong response.
The National Assembly of Pakistan issued a statement condemning the attack and stressed the attack on Chinese citizens is intolerable.
The statement also said the National Assembly and the people of Pakistan express their condolences to the families of the victims and believe that the Pakistani government will bring the criminals to justice.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry also issued a statement saying that the Pakistani government strongly condemns this heinous terrorist act and will take all necessary measures to bring the terrorists and their helpers to justice.
The attack was planned by the enemies of Pakistan and China, and Pakistan will resolutely fight and defeat these forces, according to the statement.
As Pakistan and China are close friends and hardcore brothers, Pakistan stands with its Chinese friends at this difficult moment and will continue to work with its Chinese brothers to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens, projects and institutions in Pakistan, said the statement.
Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also vowed a strong response to the attack in a statement.
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China condemns terrorist attack in Pakistan, asking for thorough investigation