Pakistani forces launched an operation Thursday in an attempt to
free the two Chinese engineers held hostage in its northwestern
tribal belt, resulting in one of them being killed.
The surviving hostage, Wang Ende, was seen by Xinhua stepping
down apparently unhurt from an aircraft that reached Chakalala
military base on Thursday and the Chinese embassy in Islamabad has
confirmed that he is safe and well.
The 49-year-old, a native of north China’s Hebei Province, had
been working in Pakistan for three separate periods. He told Xinhua
that he has now spoken to "everyone" at home on the phone, a huge
relief to his family who have been on tenterhooks since his capture
on Saturday.
While talking to Xinhua, Wang Ende expressed his gratitude to
the Chinese embassy for its efforts to secure his release, and to
the people and government of China for their concern over his
safety.
The body of Wang Peng, his fellow abductee, was sent to a
military hospital in Rawalpindi later on Thursday, said the
embassy. The 32-year-old, also from Hebei, had just got married
before leaving to work in Pakistan in August 2002 and his wife was
on holiday in Pakistan at the time of his kidnap.
The other two hostages, both Pakistani, had been released prior
to the raid, said a press release from the military's
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). It also confirmed that all
five abductors were killed in the 15-minute operation that had
started around noon local time.
Tribal elders and political and religious leaders had all worked
hard for the safe release of the hostages, as had relatives of
Abdullah Mahsud, thought to be the mastermind behind the
kidnapping. The ISPR added that as all peaceful attempts had
failed, security forces were obliged to use other means.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri called the Chinese
Ambassador Zhang Chunxiang Thursday afternoon to express his regret
about Wang Peng’s death.
Zhang said he appreciated the efforts that had been made by the
Pakistani agencies and called for the two sides to handle the
aftermath of the tragedy jointly. He also urged the Kasuri to take
all necessary measures to beef up protection for other Chinese
expatriates there.
A working team sent by the Chinese government and headed by Chen
Jian, assistant to the Minister of Commerce, will leave Beijing
today for Pakistan to deal with affairs there. Foreign Ministry
sources said they will convey the government’s condolences to
Chinese personnel in Pakistan.
The ministry spokeswoman, Zhang Qiyue, also vehemently condemned
the terrorist act shortly after being informed the operation by
Pakistani forces. She said she mourned the death of Wang Peng and
extended her sympathies to his family.
Pakistani officials say some 600 foreign militants are in hiding
in its northwestern regions after fleeing Afghanistan following the
US-led coalition's military operation there in 2001.
(Xinhua News Agency, China.org.cn October 15, 2004)