ISLAMABAD: A team of Chinese investigators that is in the country to probe the Bisham attack met Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday.

According to a statement issued by the Mini­stry of Interior, the minister visited the Chinese embassy in Islamabad and briefed the team on the ongoing investigation and provided updates on the progress made so far.

Earlier this week, five Chinese nationals working on the Dasu Dam project and their Pakistani driver were killed when a suicide bomber rammed a car into their bus in the Bisham area of Shangla district.

No militant organisation has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mr Naqvi discussed with the visitors measures being taken for the security of Chinese nationals working in Pakistan.

The government of Pakistan “would bring to book” the culprits and perpetrators of the attack, the statement quoted the minister as saying.

Mr Naqvi also met Jiang Zaidong, the Chinese ambassador in Islamabad, and updated him on the probe being conducted into the attack.

Earlier on Friday, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian confirmed that an investigation team arrived in Pakistan on March 28.

“China sent an inter-agency working group to Pakistan. After arriving in Pakistan on March 28, the working group immediately started engaging fully in the emergency response work with the Embassy in Pakistan and the company concerned,” Mr Jian said during a press conference.

He added that the investigation team’s head has already met with Pakistan’s foreign minister, foreign secretary and the interior minister.

Pakistan has been urged to “conduct speedy and thorough investigations into the attack” the spokesperson said, adding that requests have also been made to “step up” the security of and “completely eliminate security risks” to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions and projects in Pakistan.

“The Pakistani side said that investigations and efforts to handle the ensuing matters are fully underway and they are taking all possible steps to step up security for Chinese personnel, projects and institutions.”

Pakistan has already assured the Chinese officials of “a comprehensive probe” into the bombing.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2024