ISLAMABAD: All Ch
inese nationals, who were linked to a
Korean language centre in Quetta, have been evacuated after gunmen kidnapped two Ch
inese nationals last month, sources said on Friday.
The
Islamic State claims it has killed Ch
inese pair abducted on May 24. Both China and Pakistan have to verify the claim as yet.
The slain Ch
inese were teachers at a centre being run by a South
Korean national and his wife.
Ch
inese Foreign Ministry on Friday expressed grave concern over the reported killing of two Ch
inese nationals, according to Xinhua news agency. “We have taken note of relevant reports and we express our grave concern. We have been trying to rescue the two kidnapped hostages over the past days,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in response to the reports. “The Ch
inese side is working to learn about and verify relevant information through various channels, including working with Pakistani authorities,” she said, and added, “The Ch
inese side is firmly opposed to the acts of kidnapping civilians in any form, as well as terrorism and extreme violence in any form.”
Sources said 11 Ch
inese national, who were part of the language centre, have been evacuated after the kidnapping. However, Ch
inese staff working on CPEC projects has not been withdrawn and are performing their duties as per routine.
A group of 10 Ch
inese nationals had been associated with the
Korean language centre ARK in Quetta. A
Korean national, who is stated to have been living in Quetta on a business visa for last four years, had received NOC for his centre from the provincial home department. The centre, which has been closed now, was offering
Korean, Ch
inese and Urdu language courses. Sources said the
Korean embassy in Islamabad has called head of the centre and seven other nationals linked to it. The centre had hired private security gaurds this month. Officials in Quetta insist that the Ch
inese had been offered security recently, but the pair had declined the offer. A purported video of the Ch
inese nationals is being circulated in Quetta, showing graphic images of the kidnapped pair.
On Thursday, Paki
stan Army released details of a major operation against
Islamic State and Lashrake-Jhangivi Al-Almi (LeJA) in Balochistan. The military had stated there were reports of 10-15 terrorists of LeJA hidin
g in caves near Isplingi ( Koh-i-Siah/Koh-i-Maran), 36 kilometres Southeast of Mastung.
However, LeJA spokesman Ali bin Sufyan said on Friday that the organisation had no relations with the
Islamic State Khorasan and that those killed in the military operation in Mastung’s Isplingi area were members of the IS.
.jpg)
.jpg)
