In a targetted attack on Chinese nationals in Pakistan, explosions and gunfire hit the port city of Gwadar as a seven-vehicle convoy of Chinese engineers came under intense attack near Faqeer Colony bridge by armed rebels, according to reports. According to reports, four Chinese nationals were killed and nine security personnel lost their lives in the attack, suspected to have been carried out by Balochistan Liberation Army. Gwadar is a port city with located on the southwestern coast of Balochistan, Pakistan.
Suicide bombing targeting Chinese nationals in 2021
This is not the first time in recent past that Chinese nationals have been targetted in Pakistan in Gwadar. In the year 2021, a suicide bombing targeting a vehicle that was carrying Chinese nationals was carried out in southwestern Pakistan had killed two children. Three others were wounded in the attack.
The suicide blast was carried out at the East Bay Road in Gwadar port. The Chinese nationals were grievously injured in the attack, police had said.
Gwadar, the southwestern province of Balochistan, has separatist militants who have long declared insurgency against the Pakistan establishment.
Gwadar port is being developed by China as part of the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. It is part of China's ambitious Belt and Road project.
July attack
In July 2021, an attack in Khyber-Paktunkhwa on a bus had killed 13 people, which included nine Chinese workers. The incident had led to a strong reaction from China, which calls itself Pakistans' "all weather-friend". The Chinese government had asked Pakistan to ensure the safety of Chinese workers in the country post the incident. Two Pakistani soldiers had also lost their lives in the attack.
