SUKKUR: A ‘low-intensity’ explosion on Wednesday targeted a Chinese engineer’s vehicle on National Highway in Sukkur, leaving one person injured and the engineer unhurt.
According to police, the blast took place along a roadside leading to three campsites set up for Chinese staffers working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at Sukkur-Multan Motorway project, near Link Road Saleh Pat, in the limits of Patni police station of district Sukkur.
Initial report said that the low-intensity blast took place near a Chinese vehicle carrying engineers working on CPEC that caused injuries to two people, however Chinese remained safe.
According to the police statement, “Unknown accused attacked a Chinese engineer’s vehicle near Rohri. Rescue teams moved to the location.”
Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP) Rohri Masood Mahar said, “Today at 15:45 hours, in the jurisdiction of Patni police station, when a Chinese engineer’s vehicles convoy along with a Ranger’s escort were passing by near Qasim Ali petrol pump, a remote control bomb planted in a bicycle exploded.”
The DSP also said that a truck driver was injured by the broken glass as the windscreen of the truck was shattered.
According to reports, 500 grams of explosive material was used in the blast.
The low-intensity blast took place just moments, after a Chinese woman had passed by along with security personnel, informed the police.
Meanwhile, Sindh Inspector General (IG) A.D. Khawaja has directed the SSP Sukkur, Amjad Ali Shaikh to tighten security for Chinese, other foreign engineers and experts working on various development projects in the city.
He also said that no leniency should be granted to officers found negligent while on duty.
Police and Rangers have conducted a search operation in the area following the blast and arrested at least 20 suspects, who have been taken to undisclosed locations, a police official said.
