Pakistan presses on with Dasu attack investigation

China appreciates the efforts made by Pakistan in investigating the Dasu terrorist attack last month, and opposes any force using terrorism to seek geopolitical gains in the region, according to the Foreign Ministry.

In a statement released on Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China has paid great attention to the major progress that Pakistan has made within a short period of time in investigating the July 14 terrorist attack which killed 13 people including nine Chinese in a bus bombing.

Noting that further investigation is still ongoing, Hua said China and Pakistan will follow the important consensus reached by the leaders on both sides, ascertain all facts and the truth, hold the culprits accountable and bring them to justice.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday revealed that the suicide bombing was planned in Afghanistan and was carried out by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, an umbrella movement of militant groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State.

Qureshi said some of those involved in the attack have been arrested in Pakistan, while the others are still at large in Afghanistan.

He said the suicide bomber was trained in Afghanistan and the vehicle used in the attack was brought from Afghanistan to Pakistan.

The terrorist network behind the attack has received support from Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies.

Hua said both countries will keep strengthening security cooperation mechanisms to ensure the safety of Chinese projects, people and institutions in Pakistan.

She stressed that terrorism is the common enemy of mankind, calling on countries in the region to collaborate in eradicating all terrorist organizations so as to uphold common security and development interests of all countries.