Besham Attack: Chinese engineers’ vehicle was not bomb-proof, report reveals

ISLAMABAD: An investigation into the suicide attack on a convoy of Chinese engineers in Besham, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has brought to light that the vehicle was bullet-resistant but not equipped to withstand a bomb blast.

According to the investigative committee’s report, the Punjab Forensic Science Agency’s findings indicate that the Chinese engineers’ vehicle was bullet-resistant but not bomb-proof. However, according to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Counter-Terrorism Department’s report, the Chinese engineers’ vehicle was not bullet-proof.

The report highlights a significant lapse in communication protocols, evidenced by the late notification of the convoy’s movement via traditional mail on March 25, a day before departure, instead of the required seven days prior.

Read more: Chinese engineers killing: Four police officers removed for negligence

The director of security for the Dasu hydropower project failed to inform the National Highways and Motorway Police and other DPOs, neglecting to secure prior approval for inter-city movement, the report said.

It said that on March 24, the DPO of Upper Kohistan received WhatsApp information about the convoy but did not pass it on to the commandant of the Special Security Unit. The report criticizes the DPO of Upper Kohistan for only informing the DPO of Lower Kohistan and not others.

Furthermore, the report disclosed the DPO of Upper Kohistan’s unfamiliarity with the “foreign nationals’ security dashboard,” a critical tool for the Special Security Unit that oversees the security of foreigners, provided by WAPDA through its security guards, FC, and Gilgit Scouts.

The investigative report also noted that one percent of the project’s cost is supposed to be allocated for security, yet WAPDA did not contract the Special Security Unit for this purpose. This led to a non-cooperative atmosphere between WAPDA and the SSU, culminating in the SSU commandant’s admission of not taking responsibility before the inquiry committee.

At least six persons including five Chinese nationals and a woman were killed in the suicide attack on the vehicle of Chinese engineers in Besham.