Pakistan’s military has pointed to neighboring Afghanistan as the source of a suicide bombing that claimed the lives of five Chinese engineers and one Pakistani national. The attack, which occurred in March when a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle into a convoy of Chinese engineers working on a dam project in northwest Pakistan, has escalated tensions and raised concerns about security in the region.
At a news conference in Islamabad, Major-General Ahmed Sharif, a spokesman for the Pakistan military, stated that the entire attack was planned in Afghanistan. The suicide bomber, identified as an Afghan national, carried out the deadly act as part of a coordinated effort from across the border. The Afghan Taliban-led administration has not yet responded to these allegations.
The timing of this revelation is critical, considering Afghanistan’s recent attempts to foster economic ties with China, particularly through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a significant investment in infrastructure and development. China, which has been urging the Taliban to prioritize regional security, faces challenges in ensuring the safety of its nationals working on various projects in Pakistan.
Security measures have been heightened in response to the attack, with four main suspects involved in targeting the Chinese engineers already apprehended. The Pakistan military has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the approximately 29,000 Chinese nationals in the country, with a focus on those involved in CPEC projects.
The strained relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has further deteriorated, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of insufficient action against groups targeting Pakistan’s security. The Pakistan military alleges that elements within the Taliban are aiding groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which operates independently but has pledged allegiance to the Afghanistan-based Taliban.
The situation underscores broader regional security concerns, with the Pakistan military signaling a willingness to take decisive action against militant groups and their supporters, even across international borders. The expulsion of undocumented Afghan nationals and the procurement of advanced weaponry by TTP militants from Afghanistan are cited as examples of cross-border challenges that must be addressed to ensure stability in the region.
Sources By Agencies
