Attack on Chinese Nationals: Pakistan Demands Afghanistan Hand Over TTP Terrorists

Islamabad (PNI) In a significant development, Pakistan on Sunday demanded that the interim Taliban government in Afghanistan hand over the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists involved in the Besham attack on Chinese nationals. During a joint press conference alongside officials from the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Necta), Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated: “Whether Afghanistan tries the terrorists or not, they should hand over the militants to Pakistan.”

The attack in March this year resulted in the deaths of at least six people, including five Chinese nationals, when a suicide bomber targeted a bus transporting workers from the Dasu hydropower project in Bisham, Shangla district. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the “cowardly attack,” noting it was intended to drive a wedge between Pakistan and China.

According to the investigation, the TTP orchestrated the Besham attack from within Afghanistan, as confirmed by Interior Minister Naqvi. “Pakistan has formally requested the interim Afghan government to arrest the leadership of the banned TTP,” he added.

For the past two years, Islamabad has repeatedly expressed serious concerns to Kabul regarding the presence of terrorist groups, including the TTP, within Afghanistan. These groups pose a significant threat to Pakistan’s security, consistently using Afghan territory to launch attacks. “We have repeatedly urged Afghan authorities to take effective action to ensure Afghan soil is not used for terrorism against Pakistan and to hand over TTP leaders to Pakistan,” the Foreign Office stated in March.

Naqvi briefed the media on the investigation progress, noting that agencies have prepared a report and have concrete evidence linking the TTP to the attack on the Chinese engineers, with Afghan soil being used for the operation. He emphasized that Pakistan seeks friendly relations with Kabul, which is only possible with cooperation from Afghanistan.

In response to a question, Naqvi mentioned that the Pakistani government has contacted the interim authorities in Kabul but has not received satisfactory responses. Afghanistan’s acting Deputy Prime Minister Maulvi Abdul Kabir had assured in January that Afghan soil would not be used for attacks against others, but this promise remains unfulfilled.

Since the collapse of peace talks between the TTP and the government in 2021, Pakistan has seen a sharp increase in terrorist attacks. The TTP formally ended the ceasefire on November 28, leading to hundreds of attacks inside Pakistan.

Naqvi highlighted the importance of Pakistan’s relationship with China, noting mutual support on global platforms and stressing the importance of Chinese nationals’ security. The government is taking all possible measures to ensure their safety. Regarding the attack on Chinese nationals, Naqvi confirmed it was premeditated and that the government is aware of the forces attempting to destabilize the country.

Explosive-laden vehicle used in terror attack came from Afghanistan

Necta head Tahir Rai disclosed that the explosive-laden vehicle that struck the bus carrying Chinese nationals was assembled in Japan and reached Pakistan via Afghanistan. Providing details of the incident, Rai explained that the suicide bomber targeted the bus when the driver slowed down near a turn. The bus then plunged into a 150-foot deep ravine and caught fire due to the explosives.

A mobile phone with two SIM cards was recovered from the crime scene. One SIM was registered to Adil Shah from Mansehra, and the other to Shafique Qureshi. “Adil Shah was in contact with a terrorist named Hazrat Bilal,” Rai said. Both suspects have been arrested.

Further details revealed that Khan Lala and Qari Abdullah purchased the vehicle for the terrorists in Afghanistan, and a car showroom owner, Imran Swati, was paid Rs260,000 to transport the vehicle to Pakistan. So far, 11 suspects have been arrested in connection with the case.