Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi disclosed on Sunday that the recent attack on Chinese engineers in Bisham was orchestrated and executed from Afghanistan, with the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) being the mastermind behind the heinous crime.
Addressing a press conference alongside officials from the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA) in Lahore, Naqvi revealed that substantial evidence links the March 26 attack to Afghan soil.
On March 26, a convoy of Chinese engineers en route to Dasu was ambushed in a suicide attack that claimed six lives, including five Chinese nationals. The assault involved a vehicle laden with explosives that collided with the convoy.
"The Bisham incident was meticulously planned and executed from Afghanistan," Naqvi stated.
"We have apprehended the main suspects and have solid evidence to support these claims. Security along the borders has been intensified, but terrorists still manage to infiltrate and cause destruction."
The interior minister expressed grave concern over the use of Afghan territory for terrorist activities, particularly those targeting Chinese citizens.
He highlighted the critical importance of economic cooperation with China for Pakistan's economy, emphasizing the government's commitment to ensuring the safety of Chinese nationals in the country.
Naqvi urged the Afghan government to take decisive action against terrorists operating within their borders or hand them over to Pakistan. "We seek good relations with Afghanistan but cannot tolerate the use of its soil for terrorism," he asserted.
Rai Tahir, chief of NACTA, provided a detailed account of the planning and execution of the attack. He confirmed that the vehicle used was not of Pakistani origin and had entered from Afghanistan. "The TTP's involvement is clear in both the planning and execution of this attack," Tahir affirmed.
In the wake of this attack, the Pakistani government has intensified efforts to secure its borders and enhance cooperation with Afghanistan to prevent future incidents.
Naqvi reiterated Pakistan's resolve to combat terrorism and ensure the safety of all foreign nationals working within the country.