Pakistan's Punjab government has decided to beef up the security of Chinese officials in the province following the suicide attack on Karakoram highway in Bisham which left five Chinese nationals dead.

According to the Punjab Home Department, 3355 Chinese officials are currently working across Punjab and over 11,225 security personnel are deployed for their safety, reported ARY News.

The Home Department pledged to provide foolproof security to all Chinese officials across Punjab, the news channel reported.

Condemning the suicide blast in Bisham region which left six people, including five Chinese nationals who were working on the Dasu Hydropower Project, dead, Beijing on Tuesday (March 26, 2024) asked Pakistan to thoroughly investigate the case and hunt down the perpetrators behind the attack.

Apart from five Chinese nationals, the Pakistani driver, who was driving the vehicle transporting staff of the Dasu dam project in Bisham, was also killed after a suicide bomber rammed into it.

Reacting to the blast, a Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said: "China strongly condemns this terrorist attack. We express deep condolences over the lives lost and extend sincere sympathies to the bereaved families. China asks Pakistan to thoroughly investigate the incident as soon as possible, hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice."

"Meanwhile, we ask Pakistan to take effective measures to protect the safety and security of Chinese nationals, institutions and projects in Pakistan. China is working with Pakistan on the follow-up work with all-out effort," the spokesperson said.

The Dasu Dam is the country's largest hydropower project.

China and Pakistan are strategic allies and Islamabad is considered a key link to President Xi Jinping's ambitious Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.

No group has claimed responsibility for the incident so far.