Chinese Investigators Visit Site Of Dasu Bomb Blast

A senior Chinese investigator said that a high-level security delegation from the Chinese government visited the site of Dasu Bomb Blast to review standard operating procedures and the new security plan.

According to the report, the director-general of foreign security affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, arrived in the Upper Kohistan district headquarters with Chinese officials.

Sources said that Chinese investigators interrogated Pakistanis and their citizens during a visit to the Barsin camp, while local police appeared unaware of the findings of the Chinese investigation team.

Investigative sources said the material used in the bus blast was a “home-made device” that did not contain ball bearings or sharp objects, which caused it to explode and change the direction of the bus.

It may be recalled that on July 14, a coach carrying the construction team on the 4,300 MW Dasu Hydropower Project under construction fell into the river after an explosion in Upper Kohistan, killing 9 Chinese, 4 locals and 28 others were injured.

Chinese Company Stops Work On Dasu Dam

A Chinese company has stopped work on Dasu Dam over the death of Chinese engineers in Kohistan.

A letter written to the government of Pakistan by China Gezhouba, a Chinese company working on the Dasu Dam, said that they could not work due to the July 14 incident.

The letter said that all Pakistani employees have been laid off but all employees will be paid gratuity and salary.

Anwarul Haq, project director of Dasu Dam, also confirmed the letter written by the Chinese company.

Pakistan Assures Foolproof Security To Chinese Workers

Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said that Pakistan has assured foolproof security to Chinese workers at the request of the government of China.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said that China is our closest friend. The Prime Minister directed the Foreign Minister to visit China the next day. The Prime Minister also asked the Interior Ministry to increase the security of the Chinese people.

He said that a 15-member team from China arrived here yesterday and visited the site along with additional secretaries and others.

He said that the government assures China that we will never forgive the enemies of the Pak-China friendship.

He said that the friendship between Pakistan and China is eternal and it cannot make any difference.

Sheikh Rashid said that the Chinese Interior Minister contacted me on the instructions of the Chinese President and I conveyed the instructions of the Prime Minister and the sentiments of the Pakistani government and nation to him.

He said that the Foreign Ministry would give a better briefing regarding the meeting of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani with the Prime Minister.

He said that the peace of Pakistan is related to the peace of Afghanistan and we are trying our best to bring peace to Afghanistan.

Talking about the issue of issuance of fake passports and identity cards, he said that 8 people involved in issuing fake passports have been arrested and instructions have been issued across the country to expel the holders of fake identity cards. Special time should be given to them and they should be able to return without any penalty.

He said that he would go to Azad Kashmir with the Prime Minister after the press conference and hoped that the PTI government would be formed in Azad Kashmir.

Investigation Confirms Traces Of Explosion In Dasu Incident: Fawad Chaudhry

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said that initial investigations into the Dasu incident have now confirmed traces of explosives.

In a message on Twitter, he said, “Terrorism cannot be ruled out, PM is personally supervising all developments, in this regard Govt is in close coordination with the Chinese embassy we are committed to fight the menace of terrorism together.”

Bus ‘Accident’: 12 killed, Including 9 Chinese Engineers

At least 12 people, including nine engineers and two Frontier Corps (FC) personnel, were killed and several others injured in an attack near the Dasu hydropower plant in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Upper Kohistan district.

Initial reports from officials revealed contradictions, but Babar Awan, the prime minister’s adviser on parliamentary affairs, called it a “cowardly attack” in the National Assembly and said it would lead to “special measures between Pakistan and its neighbours.”

Hours later, the Foreign Office denied reports of an attack, saying the bus had fallen into a ditch due to “technical glitches”, which resulted in a gas leak and an explosion.

Kamran Bangash, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in a statement to the media, said, “A high-level delegation has left for Upper Kohistan. We will brief the people and media on the ground realities.”

Conflicting information

Immediately after the incident, Upper Kohistan Deputy Commissioner Arif Khan Yousafzai said that the incident took place around 7.30 am when a bus carrying 30 workers from camp to the plant site.

He said that local engineers, including Frontier Corps personnel, were on board the bus when the incident took place.

The Foreign Office later said in a statement that the bus fell into a ditch due to a mechanical malfunction, which resulted in a gas leak and an explosion.

“Pakistan and China are close friends. Pakistan attaches great importance to the safety of Chinese citizens, projects and institutions,” the statement said.