A massive blast in northern Pakistan kills at least 12. Of the demised, around nine are Chinese Nationals. The massive Pakistan ‘Bus’ blast took place in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The bus carrying Chinese engineers and Pakistani soldiers seems to have been targeted. This powerful blast took place on Wednesday. The bus carrying workers to the Dasu hydropower project in the northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province ran into a ravine. Later, the bus exploded killing around 12 and leaving many severely wounded.
As per the Chinese officials, it was an IED blast targeting the bus. While the Pakistanis have claimed it to be a “mechanical failure”.
The bus was carrying Chinese engineers working on the Dasu Dam.
There were at least 30 engineers and workers traveling. As several injured are critical. Therefore, the death toll may rise further. Meanwhile, China has asked Pakistan to thoroughly investigate the incident. Still, local police and administration officials say that they are still “investigating the cause of the explosion”.
It is not yet clear if the blast was the result of a roadside device or something planted inside the bus. It does look like a planned attack!
Chinese engineers and Pakistani construction workers have been working on the Dasu hydroelectric project for several years in the region where the blast took place. This project is a part of the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The CPEC is a trade and infrastructure development program between the two countries.
Road accidents are common in the rough terrains of Pakistan’s northern provinces. However, the fact that the locals are against the Chinese intervention in their territory cannot be ignored. Also, this could be a terror attack as per the Chinese perspective! The investigations might reveal the complete truth in the coming days!
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