Pakistan must ensure the safety of our citizens: China’s response to Gwadar attack

China has strongly condemned Friday’s suicide attack on a vehicle carrying Chinese nationals in the Pakistani port city, Gwadar and called on Islamabad to ensure the safety of its citizens.

The Chinese embassy in Pakistan said in a statement issued on the attack that the Chinese embassy in Pakistan extends its condolences to the injured from both countries and extends its deepest condolences on the loss of innocent lives.

The statement called on Pakistan to provide proper treatment to the injured, a full investigation into the attack and severe punishment to the perpetrators.

The statement further added that relevant departments at all levels in Pakistan must take practical and effective steps to implement strong security measures and mechanisms for cooperation in upgraded security to ensure that such incidents should not happen again.

“The security situation in Pakistan has deteriorated in recent weeks. Several Chinese citizens have been killed in a series of terrorist attacks.”

“The Chinese embassy in Pakistan reminds Chinese citizens in Pakistan to be careful, take precautionary measures and not to go out unnecessarily.”

According to police and the provincial government, a suicide attack’ aiming at an automobile transporting Chinese nationals in Balochistan’s Gwadar district on Friday has killed at least two children, stated the spokesperson of the provincial government.

The car’s driver, including two more people, was also injured during the attack when a suicide bomber blustered himself near the vehicle.

Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani tweeted “Strongly condemn a suicide attack on Chinese nationals’ vehicle in Gwadar”.

He further stated that the two children that were playing nearby have expired in the eruption, while one Chinese national sustained slight wounds.

Three children had been injured in the occurrence, earlier stated the Gwadar police control room.

The incapacitated were budged to GDA Hospital in Gwadar.

The blast took place shortly after 7 pm in Baloch Ward near Gwadar’s Eastbay Expressway.

The Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps and other security officials have condemned the blast and sealed the area and an inquiry into the incident has been initiated.

The episode occurs less than two weeks after a motorcycle bomb blast took place at Quetta’s Hali Road roundabout, near Balo­chistan Assembly and the High Court, which martyred two policemen and 21 others, with 12 policemen, injured.

Strongly condemn suicide attack on Chinese nationals Vehicle in #Gwadar.

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2 children died who were playing nearby & one Chinese sustained minor injuries.

3 persons injured including driver

Police & CTD teams are on the crime scene.
Investiga launched.

Innocent Children,Afsos

— Liaquat Shahwani (@LiaquatShahwani) August 20, 2021

China is working on various projects in different parts of Pakistan, including Gwadar, under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

A blast near the Dasu Hydropower Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the morning of July 14 killed 12 people, including nine Chinese nationals and two FC personnel, and injured more than 26 others.

This is the second blast in Balochistan this month. Earlier on August 8, two policemen were killed and several others were injured in an explosion at Hali Chowk near Serena Hotel.