The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on Tuesday that vehicles belonging to the Dassu Hydroelectric Power Plant project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, being built by Chinese companies, were targeted in a terrorist attack.

Spokesman Lin Jian expressed condolences for the victims and said Beijing demanded the Pakistani side to speed up the capture of the perpetrators, severely punish the murderers, and take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel. “China reiterates that terrorism is the common enemy of all humanity and that it is the common responsibility of the international community to fight terrorism and prevent recurring tragedies,” he added.

The spokesman ratified support for the Pakistani government in its fight against terrorism, and recalled that both countries have strategic cooperation at all times and the “iron friendship is deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples.” According to the Chinese functionary, Beijing will continue to support Pakistan’s economic-social development.

Pakistan promised to thoroughly investigate the case, promptly report on the progress of the probe, and take additional measures to comprehensively strengthen the security of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Shehbaz personally went to the Chinese embassy in Pakistan to offer his condolences following the attack.

The Dawn newspaper reported on Tuesday about an uptick in terrorist activities over the last year, after the terrorist organization Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022.

A report published last month by the Center for Security Research and Studies said Pakistan experienced 97 attacks in February, causing 87 deaths and 118 injuries.

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