Pakistan: Two kidnapped Chinese nationals killed June 8 /update 1

Event

According to a statement issued by the Islamic State (IS) news agency Amaq on Thursday, June 8, the group has executed two Chinese language teachers who had been kidnapped on May 24 in Quetta, Balochistan. According to official reports of the kidnapping, unidentified gunmen dressed as police officers stopped a car carrying three Chinese nationals in the city. When the militants attempted to force the victims out of their vehicle, one was able to escape.

Context

Quetta is part of the Chinese “Silk Road” economic corridor project that connects China’s Xinjiang region to the Arabian Sea. Beijing has invested USD 57 billion in road, rail, and power infrastructure in Pakistan as part of the project. Militants in Balochistan province have carried out a number of attacks targeting the construction sites in recent months. On May 13 ten constructions workers were murdered near the southwestern port city of Gwadar.

Advice

Individuals present in Quetta are advised to remain vigilant at all times and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities.

Due to a high threat from terrorism, as well as kidnapping and sectarian violence throughout Pakistan, some Western governments advise their citizens against nonessential travel to the country as foreign nationals, and in particular Westerners, may be directly targeted.