Tension between Beijing and Islamabad: at least 12 dead, including nine Chinese, after explosion in Pakistan

At least 12 people, including nine Chinese nationals, were killed on Wednesday in a bus explosion that fell into a ravine in northwest Pakistan., a disaster that authorities in Islamabad described it as an accident and those in Beijing as an attack.

The vehicle was carrying Engineers, surveyors and mechanical maintenance personnel of Chinese origin working on the construction of the Dasu dam, in the province of Jaiber Pastunjuá.

“The explosion caused a fire in the engine, caused the vehicle to fall into a ravine“He told the AFP a local Pakistani official.

Chinese and Pakistani sources have confirmed the crash and the death toll to which it is added 28 Chinese wounded. They initially reported 13 deaths, but then revised the figure down.

However, officials from the two countries differ on the causes of the incident.

Pakistani foreign ministry says investigation has been opened but, in a statement, he clarified that the vehicle “Fallen into the ravine following a mechanical breakdown, which caused a gas leak which was at the origin of the explosion ”.

However, China condemned the events and called them “attacks”, calling on Pakistan to forcefully punish those responsible.

“A project of a Chinese company in Pakistan suffered an attack which caused the death of Chinese citizens”, The Chinese embassy in Pakistan said, urging Chinese companies in the country to strengthen their security measures.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zhao Lijian, urged Pakistan to “Punish severely” the culprits and to “seriously protect Chinese citizens and organizations” in the country.

Resentment against China

Since a long time, the safety of Chinese workers in various infrastructure projects in Pakistan has become a concern for Beijing, who in recent years has invested billions of dollars in this country.

In April, a suicide attack targeted the hotel where the Chinese ambassador was staying in Quetta, capital of the province of Balochistan (west) and was claimed by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Pakistani Taliban. At least four people died and dozens were injured.

China-funded projects often create strong resentment in Pakistan, especially among separatist groups, who consider that the local population does not benefit at all since the majority of the workforce is Chinese.

In May 2019, an attack on a luxury hotel near the port of Gwadar (southwest), strategic for the infrastructure megaproject China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), caused the death of eight people.

Six months before, a suicide bombing against the Chinese consulate in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and financial capital, claimed the lives of at least four people.

In June 2020, the Karachi Stock Exchange, where many Chinese companies are present, was attacked and there were at least four deaths.

These attacks were claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).

Around 2010, the TTP also carried out several attacks in large Pakistani cities, from its stronghold in tribal areas, where it housed jihadist groups, including Al-Qaeda.

But a major military operation launched in 2014 destroyed the TTP’s command structure, leading to improved security conditions across the country.

However, there are reports of a regrouping of the Pakistani Taliban in recent months on the border with Afghanistan, from where they often claim clashes with the Pakistani armed forces.

(With information from EFE and AFP)

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