2024-03-28 04:49:05
Islamabad: Chinese engineers of Dasu Hydropower Project in Pakistan have been targeted by terrorists. In a suicide attack, terrorists attacked the vehicle of Chinese engineers. Six people, including five Chinese engineers, died in this attack. Chinese engineers have been attacked in Pakistan before also. Once again this suicide attack shows that Pakistan has failed to protect Chinese citizens. Due to Pakistan’s failure, China can deploy its security personnel. Experts are expressing concern about this. America’s South Asian affairs expert Michael Kugelman said in a tweet, ‘China is one of Pakistan’s most important allies. Arguably the biggest foreign target for terrorists in Pakistan is China. This has been a serious diplomatic, security and strategic problem for years which Pakistan has not been able to fix despite China’s opposition. He further said, ‘China’s presence is increasing in Pakistan through CPEC. Its reach in many areas is making it a target of terrorists. China is under threat from Baloch separatists, Islamic State and TTP. It is difficult to compete with him.
Will China send security forces to Pakistan?
In another tweet, Kugelman expressed apprehension that China might bring its security forces into Pakistan. “Such attacks do not jeopardize Chinese investments or relations with Beijing,” he said. But it creates a wound in the relationship. If this continues, it could have problematic consequences for Pakistan. Like China can bring its own security forces. China’s Ambassador to Pakistan has given instructions to increase the security of Chinese personnel.
Military and civil officials will investigate
The attack on Tuesday was the third major attack on China’s interests in a week. Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif reached the Chinese Embassy after the attack. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the attack and expressed ‘deep sorrow’ over the death of Chinese citizens. “Anti-Pakistan elements will never succeed in damaging Pakistan-China friendship,” he said in a statement. Meanwhile, police and officials from other security agencies reached the site of the attack and started investigating the incident. Civilian and military officials will investigate the attack.