The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has reportedly apprehended over 10 terrorists and facilitators allegedly involved in the recent attack on Chinese engineers in Shangla’s Bisham city.
The sources suggest that outfits affiliated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are suspected to have carried out the deadly attack on March 26.
During the assault, five Chinese citizens, along with a Pakistani driver, lost their lives as a suicide bomber targeted their vehicle in Shangla’s Besham city.
Following the tragic incident, the nation’s civil and military leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, condemned the attack and pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Additionally, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at Rawalpindi’s Nur Khan Airbase, and a moment of silence was observed as the bodies of the deceased Chinese nationals were flown back to China.
In response to the attack, Chinese companies overseeing operations at the Dasu and Diamer-Bhasha Dams temporarily halted civil work at both sites due to security concerns.
Last week, a Chinese investigation team arrived in Pakistan to probe the incident, expressing readiness to collaborate with Pakistan in enhancing security capabilities against various risks, including terrorism.
According to CTD sources, the commander responsible for bringing the suicide bomber from Afghanistan into Pakistan has been arrested, along with four other facilitators.
The investigation unveiled that the explosives-laden vehicle used in the attack was prepared in Afghanistan and transported to Dera Ismail Khan’s Darazinda via the Pak-Afghan Chaman border crossing.
Furthermore, a facilitator responsible for transporting the vehicle from Chaman to Chakdara has also been apprehended.
Investigations reveal that the vehicle was parked for ten days in Chakdara before being brought to the attack site on the day of the incident.
The mastermind behind the attack, identified as Hazrat Bilal, is wanted by security forces for his involvement in the Dasu dam attack.
With two accomplices of the suicide bomber already in custody, the CTD anticipates the imminent arrest of Bilal.
According to CTD sources, the arrests were facilitated by utilizing the mobile and SIM data obtained from the suicide bomber through a third party.
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