In a tragic incident in the Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, a suicide bomber drove his explosive-laden car into a vehicle on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver. The victims were identified as construction workers and engineers who were en route to the Dasu Dam, the largest hydropower project in Pakistan.

Local police chief Bakhat Zahir confirmed the attack, stating that the bodies were taken to a nearby hospital, while security forces launched a search operation for possible accomplices. As investigations into the incident are underway, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, suspicion falls on Baluch separatists, who have previously carried out similar assaults.

The attack comes just days after Pakistani security forces successfully neutralized eight militants belonging to the Baluchistan Liberation Army. The militants had opened fire on a convoy carrying Chinese citizens near the Chinese-funded Gwadar port in Baluchistan province.

Both political and military leadership in Pakistan have vehemently condemned the attack. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the Chinese Embassy in Peshawar, where he met with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong and expressed condolences over the tragic incident. Sharif vowed to ensure that those responsible for orchestrating the attack would be held accountable.

The Chinese Embassy also condemned the attack and called on Pakistan to thoroughly investigate the incident, urging strict punishment for the perpetrators. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi echoed these sentiments and visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad to brief the ambassador on the attack. Naqvi emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation and expressed hope that the incident would not negatively impact the strong Pakistani-Chinese relations.

The Pakistani military has also denounced the attack, reiterating their commitment to combat terrorism in the country. Thousands of Chinese nationals are involved in various projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Shangla, including road construction, power plants, and agriculture. CPEC, part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, serves as a vital lifeline for Pakistan's struggling economy.

Chinese workers in Pakistan, particularly those associated with CPEC projects, have been targeted in previous incidents. In July 2021, a suicide bombing near a bus carrying Chinese and Pakistani engineers resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals, including nine Chinese nationals.

Following previous attacks, Pakistan has intensified security measures for CPEC-related projects. However, this recent tragedy underscores the urgent need for enhanced security to safeguard the lives of Chinese workers and maintain bilateral relations between Pakistan and China.

As investigations continue, authorities will be focused on bringing those responsible for this cowardly act of violence to justice and preventing further attacks on Chinese nationals working on vital projects in Pakistan.