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Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 13 Aug 2023
Photo Courtesy: Twitter video grab
Security forces killed two terrorists who attacked a convoy of Chinese engineers in the Gwadar region of the country.
The engineers were reportedly working on infrastructure projects in Gwadar.
A Chinese convoy of engineers was attacked near the Gwadar police station in Pakistan, the Global Times has learned. The convoy of three SUVs and a van, all bulletproof, carried 23 Chinese personnel. An IED exploded during the attack and the van was shot at, creating cracks in… pic.twitter.com/LQ4zhuOGnh
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) August 13, 2023
The convoy of three SUVs and a van, all bulletproof, carried 23 Chinese personnel, reported Global Times on its X, previously known as Twitter, page.
There have been no injuries reported within the attacked Chinese convoy, which is currently guarded by Pakistani security forces and is generally safe, GT learned from Chinese personnel in Gwadar. https://t.co/Q6qIoyozNz
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) August 13, 2023
The Chinese media further said that an IED exploded during the attack and the van was shot at, creating cracks in the glass.
Chinese Embassy reacts:
The Chinese Embassy in Islamabad said none of the nationals were injured in the incident.
Explosions and gunfire can be heard across the port city of Gwadar, where all roads remain closed for traffic. The attack on a convoy of Chinese engineers that started around 9:30am has continued for nearly two hours now. pic.twitter.com/X1Tm6kKyvc
— The Balochistan Post - English (@TBPEnglish) August 13, 2023
"On August 13th, a convoy carrying Chinese citizens was attacked near the port of Gwadar in Balochistan, Pakistan. The incident caused no casualties on the Chinese side, and the relevant personnel have been properly placed in safety," read the statement issued by the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad.
The embassy also condemned the attack.
"China will continue to work with the Pakistani side, to jointly counter the threats of terrorism and earnestly protect the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions and projects in Pakistan," the statement said.
The embassy asked its citizens in Pakistan to be vigilant and take preventive measures against security risks.
CPEC:
Several Chinese nationals are currently working on several projects in Pakistan's Balochistan province.
China is carrying out several projects in Pakistan under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The CPEC is a cornerstone of China’s wide-reaching Belt and Road Initiative and focuses on linking China’s Xinjiang Province with the Gwadar Port, reports Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
BLA claims responsibility:
Meanwhile, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack.
The group, however, in contrast to the Pakistani authorities claims said four Chinese nationals and nine Pakistani soldiers were killed in the attack.
“According to the information received so far, at least four Chinese nationals and nine Pakistani military personnel were killed, and several were injured,” a statement issued by the group said.
“This is the preliminary information, and the number of loses could rise,” the statement said.
Pakistani senator Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack and wrote on X: "I strongly condemn the heinous terror attack on Chinese workers convoy in Gwadar. Thankfully, no loss of life happened, but there are reports that the ambush has been repulsed and the attackers have been killed."