Four Chinese engineers and nine Pakistani Army personnel were killed in what is being termed as one of the biggest attacks by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) in Gwadar region of Pakistan on Sunday.
The BLA claimed two fidayeens from its Majeed Brigade executed the attack. The Chinese Consulate in Karachi has issued a security alert for Chinese citizens in view of the attack.
Gwadar port is one of the focal points of the multi-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with many Chinese workers working at the port. China is investing heavily in Balochistan under the CPEC.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan military’s media wing, the operation was launched after the presence of terrorists in the area was reported. “The security forces have cordoned off the entire area [and] launched a search operation,” the ISPR said.
Video from earlier today in Gwadar. Gunfire can be heard as Pakistani security forces personnel take cover. pic.twitter.com/yGB4PBKFAi
— The Balochistan Post – English (@TBPEnglish) August 13, 2023
THE CPEC
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng was in Pakistan capital in July to mark the 10th anniversary of the enormous economic plan that is the cornerstone of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. Since its initiation in 2013, the CPEC has seen tens of billions of dollars funnelled into massive transport, energy and infrastructure projects.
But the undertaking has also been hit by Pakistan struggling to keep up its financial obligations, as well as attacks on Chinese targets by militants.
Beijing granted Pakistan a two-year rollover on a $2.4 billion loan, giving the debt-saddled nation much-needed breathing space as it tackles a balance-of-payments crisis.
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) report last year said China and its commercial banks held about 30 per cent of Pakistan’s total external debt.