Chinese engineers’ convoy attacked in Pakistan’s Balochistan, 2 terrorists killed

A convoy of Chinese engineers was attacked in Pakistan’s Balochistan province by armed rebels on Sunday.

According to local media reports, Pakistani security forces killed two terrorists in a gunfight. Two Pakistani security personnel were also injured when a convoy of engineers working for a Chinese construction company came under attack on Faqeer Bridge in Gwadar. As per sources, other terrorists fled the spot in an injured condition and an operation is underway to clear the area as gunfight continues.

Explosions and gunfire can be heard across the port city of Gwadar, where all roads remain closed for traffic, The Balochistan Post reported.

The government authorities have confirmed the attack on Chinese engineers in Gwadar, it said. The attack on the convoy of Chinese engineers happened at around 9:30 am and an intense gunfight is underway for nearly two hours, The Balochistan Post reported, citing a media release.

A video shared by The Balochistan Post on X, formerly known as Twitter, shows that explosions continued to rock Gwadar. The port remains cordoned off as all routes have been shut.

CITIZENS ASKED TO STAY IN HOUSES
Baloch Liberation Army – Majeed Brigade, the suicide squad of BLA, has claimed responsibility for today’s attack. Chinese consulates in Pakistan have issued orders for its citizens in Balochistan and Sindh to remain inside their residences till further orders, the report said.

A burqa-clad Baloch woman suicide bomber killed four people, including three Chinese nationals (tutors), in an attack on a minibus carrying staff from China-built Confucius Institute at Karachi University in May last year. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack, the first major one last year against nationals of all-weather ally China working in Pakistan.

In July 2021, a bus carrying engineers in northwestern Pakistan was bombed. Thirteen people, including nine Chinese workers, died. Under pressure, Pakistan paid millions in compensation to the families of the Chinese workers killed. China sent its team to probe the attack.

In April 2021, a suicide bomb attack at a luxury hotel hosting the Chinese ambassador in Quetta killed four and wounded dozens. The ambassador was unhurt.

Earlier in 2020, Baloch separatists attacked Pakistan’s Stock Exchange where the Chinese have major investments. This followed an attack at the Chinese consulate in Karachi in 2018.