A recent police report on the tragic suicide attack in Shangla’s Bisham city has shed light on alarming security vulnerabilities, as the vehicle transporting Chinese nationals was found to lack bullet and bomb-proof features.
The report, forwarded to the federal government, disclosed critical details surrounding the incident. It revealed that the targeted bus, part of a convoy carrying Chinese nationals, was positioned just 15 feet away from another vehicle when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into it along the Karakoram Highway. Subsequently, the bus plummeted into a 300-feet-deep ditch, resulting in casualties.
Moreover, the report highlighted that although the buses were equipped with closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV), they failed to prevent the devastating attack.
This revelation follows Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s order for disciplinary action against senior police officers, citing negligence as per an earlier inquiry report into the March 26 tragedy. The attack claimed the lives of five Chinese citizens, including a woman, and a Pakistani driver.
Addressing the media in Lahore, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced the Prime Minister’s directive to take action against various officials within 15 days, including the regional police officer (RPO) Hazara Division and district police officers of Upper Kohistan and Lower Kohistan.
Additionally, authorities have retrieved parts of the attacker’s vehicle from the site, located approximately six and 77 kilometers away from Bisham police station and Dassu dam, respectively.
Recent developments also include the reported arrest of over 10 terrorists and facilitators linked to the attack by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). Among them is the terrorist commander responsible for bringing the suicide bomber from Afghanistan, along with four other accomplices.
In response to the incident, both civilian and military leadership have vowed to ensure justice for the victims, emphasizing the importance of bringing the perpetrators to account. Prime Minister Shehbaz has instructed relevant authorities to devise a comprehensive security plan to safeguard Chinese nationals in Pakistan, stressing regular audits of security protocols to ensure foolproof protection.
Leave a Reply