Attack on Chinese in Pak to force Beijing to backtrack on Muslim insurgent curbs

The suicidal attack on Chinese nationals in Baluchistan on Thursday is said to be a reaction to Beijings steps to curb Muslim insurgency in its own territory.

London, July 20 : The suicidal attack on Chinese nationals in Baluchistan on Thursday is said to be a reaction to Beijing's steps to curb Muslim insurgency in its own territory.

According to The Nation, the attack is said to have been carried out by some Islamic militants, whereas in the past, Baloch rebels were usually blamed for killing Chinese workers.

A few months back, one Muslim fighter, who had taken refuge in Pakistan after fleeing from a Muslim populated province of China, was hanged by Chinese authorities after he was captured in Islamabad and extradited to Beijing.

It is being widely perceived in the British media that Muslim militants were now trying to take revenge by attacking Chinese nationals working in Pakistan.

A report has claimed that "Islamic extremists in Pakistan are making common cause with the Muslim insurgency in China; otherwise, there would seem to be no reason for it."

It said Chinese mineworkers in southern Pakistan were targeted by a suicide bomber on Thursday what is believed to be part of the Islamist backlash, which has killed more than 140 people in the last week.

A suicide bomber rammed a car packed with explosives into a convoy of police vehicles escorting Chinese technicians through a busy street at Hub.

The Chinese were unhurt, but the massive explosion killed 29 Pakistanis, including seven police officers, who were travelling in the van that was rammed.

Beijing is a close and valued ally of Pakistan, but diplomatic exchanges between the two countries in recent weeks, suggest a hardening of ties in the wake of the attacks.

ANI