BEIJING, MAR 15: Top Chinese diplomat has said that the international cooperation can help Pakistan reign in rising terrorism in the country and reaffirmed Beijing’s unwavering support in the fight against militancy.
Chinese Consul General in Karachi Yang Yundong has said China was closely monitoring the situationin Pakistan after the recent terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express. He condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. He reaffirmed China’s opposition to all forms of terrorism and its firm support for Pakistan in its fight against terrorism.
He also pledged assistance in bringing the perpetrators to justice and restoring law and order.
The Chinese consul general said this at a press briefing held at the Consulate General of China on Friday on the spirit of China’s Two Sessions. He said the recently concluded China’s Two Sessions 2025 in Beijing had set the course for the country’s economic and social development while reaffirming its commitment to modernisation and international cooperation.
Yundong said 2024 marked the 10th anniversary of President Jinping’s historic visit to Pakistan, with 2025 bringing the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. He stressed the importance of seizing this opportunity to deepen collaboration in trade, infrastructure and socioeconomic development.
“Together, we will accelerate the construction of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future and create a more prosperous and stable future for both nations,” he said.
The consul general emphasised that China would continue to foster high-standard international partnerships, advocate for global peace, and provide development opportunities for emerging economies. He highlighted China-Pakistan relations as a prime example of mutually beneficial cooperation, particularly in the context of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The remarks came days after the deadly attack on the Jaffar Express that resulted in the martyrdom of 26 train passengers, including 18 security personnel from the army and the FC.
The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), on March 11, blew up train tracks when Jaffar Express it was on its way to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province from Balochistan’s capital of Quetta, and held over 440 passengers hostage in a day-long standoff with security services in a remote mountain pass in Bolan district.
33 terrorists were also killed by the security forces during the clearance operation in Balochistan’s Bolan district.
“346 hostages were freed and over 30 terrorists were killed during the operation,” an army official told AFP.
The assault was immediately claimed by the BLA, which released a video of an explosion on the track, followed by dozens of militants emerging from hiding places in the mountains.
Passengers who escaped or were released by the militants described panic as gunmen seized control of the train, sorting through identity cards, shooting soldiers but freeing some families.
As the incidents of terrorism continue to rise in the country, the military termed India main sponsor of militancy in Balochistan, saying the latest attack on Jaffar Express was the continuation of the same policy.
Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Friday said: “The latest attack in Balochistan and other terrorist incidents that took place in the past…we understand that the main sponsor of these [attacks] is your eastern neighbor.”
