Pakistan Police Arrest 4 TTP Operatives Involved in Bisham Terror Attack Killing 5 Chinese Nationals

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, has made a significant advancement in the investigation of the deadly Bisham terror attack that claimed the lives of five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver in March 2024. The CTD has apprehended four terrorists involved in the attack on a convoy of Chinese engineers.

Among the arrested suspects is the mastermind of the attack, Adil Shehbaz, a resident of Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Shehbaz has confessed to playing a central role in the execution of the Bisham attack. The other three apprehended terrorists involved in the attack are Muhammad Shafiq Qureshi, Zahid Qureshi, and Nazeer Hussain.

Why this matters: The arrests mark a significant development in Pakistan's fight against terrorism and its efforts to protect foreign nationals working on development projects in the country. The attack had strained Pakistan-China relations and raised concerns about the safety of Chinese citizens in Pakistan.

Investigations revealed that the suicide bomber was brought from Afghanistan, and the explosives-laden vehicle used in the attack was transported through Chaman to Dera Ismail Khan district. The CTD has confirmed that the attack was backed by the TTP, although no group has officially claimed responsibility.

The Chinese embassy and consulates in Pakistan strongly condemned the terrorist act and urged Pakistani authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, bring the perpetrators to justice, and enhance safety measures for Chinese citizens in the country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured the Chinese Ambassador of a high-level probe and emphasized the need to combat terrorism, which he described as a transnational threat aimed at undermining the progress and development of the Pakistan-China friendship.

In a statement, the CTD termed the apprehension of four key men involved in the attack a "big headway" in the investigation of the deadly attack. The authorities are working to uncover the entire network behind the incident and have identified the "key actors" involved. The attack targeted a convoy of Chinese engineers traveling from Islamabad to their camp in Dasu, where they were working on a hydroelectric dam construction site.

The Besham terror attack was reminiscent of a similar incident in July 2021, when a bus carrying Chinese engineers to the Dasu dam site was attacked, resulting in the deaths of nine Chinese nationals. The recent attack has once again highlighted the challenges faced by Pakistan in ensuring the safety of foreign workers involved in development projects, particularly those affiliated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Key Takeaways

• CTD arrests 4 terrorists, including mastermind, involved in Besham attack killing 5 Chinese.
• Besham attack was backed by TTP, though no group claimed responsibility.
• Attack strained Pakistan-China relations, raised concerns about safety of Chinese citizens.
• PM assured Chinese ambassador of high-level probe, emphasized need to combat transnational threat.
• Besham attack similar to 2021 Dasu dam attack, highlighting challenges in securing CPEC projects.