PESHAWAR: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has apprehended more than 10 individuals suspected of involvement in the attack on Chinese engineers in Shangla’s Bisham city last week, sources informed Khyber News on Monday. According to the sources, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)-affiliated outfits are believed to have carried out the deadly attack on March 26.
During the assault, a suicide bomber targeted a vehicle carrying Chinese citizens and a Pakistani driver in Shangla’s Besham city, resulting in the deaths of five Chinese citizens and the driver.
In response to the incident, prominent figures including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir condemned the attack, pledging to bring the perpetrators to justice.
A wreath-laying ceremony was held at Rawalpindi’s Nur Khan Airbase to honor the deceased Chinese nationals, with floral wreaths laid on behalf of various dignitaries.
Following the attack, Chinese companies overseeing operations at the Dasu and Diamer-Bhasha Dams temporarily halted civil work at both sites due to security concerns.
An official confirmed that around 991 Chinese engineers were working on both projects, with local staff instructed to remain at home until further notice.
A Chinese investigation team arrived in Pakistan to probe the incident, demonstrating China’s commitment to collaborating with Pakistan on security matters.
The CTD revealed that the terrorist commander responsible for bringing the suicide bomber from Afghanistan, along with four facilitators, had been apprehended.
Further investigations disclosed that the explosive-laden vehicle used in the attack was prepared in Afghanistan and transported to Pakistan via the Pak-Afghan Chaman border crossing.
Security forces arrested the facilitator responsible for transporting the vehicle from Chaman to Chakdara, Lower Dir. The mastermind of the attack, Hazrat Bilal, remains at large and is wanted by security forces for his involvement in the Dasu dam attack.
With two accomplices of the suicide bomber already in custody, the CTD anticipates Bilal’s imminent arrest. The arrests were facilitated by analyzing the mobile and SIM data of the suicide bomber, obtained through a third party, according to CTD sources.
