9 Chinese engineers among 12 killed in 'attack'

At least 12 persons, including nine Chinese engineers and two Frontier Corps personnel, died and several others were injured on Wednesday in a bus "attack" near the Dasu hydropower plant in the Upper Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Initial reports from officials on what caused the deaths appeared conflicting; however, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan, speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, termed it a "cowardly attack" and said that it would "not divert attention from the special initiatives between Pakistan and its neighbours".

Condemning the attack, Awan said that he will ask Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed to give a briefing on the country's security situation and take this house into confidence regarding the incident.

Hours later, the Foreign Office contradicted reports of an attack, saying that the bus "plunged into a ravine after a mechanical failure resulting in leakage of gas that caused a blast". The FO also put the death toll at 12, including 9 Chinese nationals, up from earlier reports of 10 deaths. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, however, condemned the incident as a "bombing".

Special Assistant to the KP Chief Minister on Information Kamran Khan Bangash had earlier said a high level delegation has left for Upper Kohistan, adding that officials will shortly inform the people and the media of the ground realities. "The media is advised to avoid speculating on the matter," he said.

Bangash said a large number of security officials were deployed to protect Chinese nationals. Those who are in critical condition are being shifted via helicopter, he said. A large number of Rescue 1122 ambulances and officials have reached the spot, he added.

Meanwhile, China asked Pakistan to thoroughly investigate the incident. Condemning the attack, China's foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian expressed his "shock and condemnation over the bombing".

Lijian urged Pakistan to "severely punish the perpetrators" and "earnestly protect the safety of Chinese nationals, organisations and projects" in the country.

In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan "strongly condemned the incident", expressed condolences with the victims and the injured, adding that it "will do its best with Pakistan to deal with the incident"."The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan hereby reminds Chinese citizens, enterprises and projects in Pakistan to attach great importance to them, pay close attention to the local security situation, strengthen the safety of project personnel, take strict precautions, and do not go out unless necessary," the statement read.