The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested suspects involved in a suicide attack targeting Chinese engineers in Bisham, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, last month.
CTD arrested four terrorists linked to the attack, which occurred on March 26 and involved an explosive-laden vehicle detonating near a car carrying five Chinese nationals and a Pakistani driver. The arrested individuals are affiliated with the banned group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
A CTD spokesperson reported that others in the same network were also identified. Earlier, the department detained over 10 terrorists and facilitators connected to the deadly incident.
The targeted Chinese engineers were contributing to the Dasu Dam project and were travelling on the Karakoram Highway at the time of the attack. Following the incident, Chinese firms paused work on the Dasu and Diamer-Bhasha Dam projects due to security concerns.
It has been confirmed that 991 Chinese engineers were involved in these projects, with local staff advised to stay home pending further instructions.
CTD sources revealed the arrest of a terrorist commander who facilitated the entry of the suicide bomber from Afghanistan, along with four additional facilitators. The investigation also uncovered that the vehicle used in the attack was assembled in Afghanistan and transported through Balochistan’s Pak-Afghan Chaman border to Dera Ismail Khan.
The vehicle later reached Chakdara in Lower Dir, handled by a smuggler of non-custom-paid vehicles. The driver received Rs250,000 for the task. Security forces also detained the facilitator who managed the vehicle’s transport from Chaman to Chakdara.
Further details indicated that the car was stationed near the attack site for ten days at a daily cost of Rs500.
CTD is actively seeking the mastermind of the attack, Hazrat Bilal, and has already secured two of the suicidbomber’s accomplices. The department is optimistic about apprehending Bilal soon and utilizing mobile and SIM data linked to the bomber.
