Chinese team arrives in Pakistan to probe Shangla suicide bombing that killed six

A team of Chinese investigators reached Pakistan on Friday (March 29) to probe a suicide attack that killed five of its nationals earlier this week in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Five Chinese nationals were among six people killed in a suicide attack on a convoy that was targeted by a suicide bomber who rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into them. This was the third major attack on Chinese interests in Pakistan in less than a week.

The slain Chinese engineers and workers were reportedly headingto the Dasu Dam, the biggest hydropower project in northwest Pakistanon Tuesday (March 29), when the suicide bombing took place.

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A Pakistani driver was also killed during theattack in Shangla, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, over 270 km north of Islamabad.

Beijing condemned the attack and asked Pakistan to conduct a detailed investigation and ensure the protection of thousands of its nationals who work on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, part of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative to revive the ancient Silk route for international trade.

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Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday (March 30)briefed the Chinese investigators about Pakistan’s probe into the attack, according to a government statement.

Earlier on Wednesday (March 27), Pakistani officials shared with the Chinese embassy the preliminary findings of their probe into the attack.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the deadly suicide bombing.

Chinese nationals working on projects related to China Pakistan Economic Corridor have been targeted by militants in recent years.

In July 2021, at least 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals, were killed when a suicide bomber detonated explosives in his vehicle near a bus carrying Chinese and Pakistani engineers and labourers, following which the Chinese companies suspended work for some time.

(With inputs from agencies)