China eyes troop deployment in Pak amid rising attacks on its nationals

China is reportedly considering deploying troops to Pakistan to safeguard its citizens working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, following a surge in terror attacks targeting Chinese nationals. The latest incident, on October 6, saw two Chinese workers killed in a suicide bombing by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in Gwadar, further heightening security concerns for Beijing.

Intelligence reports suggest China is preparing to take more direct action to protect its citizens, including potentially deploying troops.

In response, Pakistan has ramped up its security efforts. In August, the country allocated 60 billion rupees to "Operation Azm-E-Istekham," part of a broader 2.1 trillion rupees defence budget.

An additional 90 billion rupees was approved at China’s request, specifically for the protection of Chinese nationals and CPEC phase two projects. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) also approved a 45-billion-rupee grant to enhance military and naval security.

Meanwhile, Beijing has proposed establishing a joint security company with Pakistan to protect its workers. This has fuelled speculation about a greater Chinese presence in volatile regions like Balochistan, where separatist militants frequently target Chinese interests. Discussions between the two nations also include the possibility of signing an anti-terrorism cooperation agreement, which could pave the way for an official Chinese military presence in Pakistan.

China is pushing for additional security projects under CPEC phase two, including mobile security equipment and ballistic protective vehicles. These measures are seen as critical to ensuring the safety of the estimated 30,000 Chinese nationals currently working in Pakistan on various energy, infrastructure, and development projects.

Since CPEC's launch in 2015, China has invested approximately USD 62 billion into Pakistan, a figure that has steadily risen from the original projection of USD 46 billion as new projects were added.

This investment is central to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and economic cooperation. Key areas of focus include energy projects, infrastructure development, and the transformation of Gwadar into a strategic trade hub.

The increasing attacks on Chinese citizens have strained Pakistan-China relations, making robust security measures more urgent. Both countries may soon formalise a partnership through an anti-terrorism agreement, a move that could solidify China's military involvement in Pakistan to protect its investments and citizens.

Major attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan in recent years:

October 6, 2024: Two Chinese nationals killed in a BLA suicide bombing in Gwadar, Balochistan. April 26, 2022: A suicide attack at Karachi University killed three Chinese teachers. August 20, 2021: A convoy of Chinese workers was attacked in Gwadar, causing casualties among security personnel. July 14, 2021: A bomb attack on a bus killed nine Chinese workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. May 2019: A BLA-claimed attack on a Gwadar hotel killed five people. November 2018: The Chinese Consulate in Karachi was attacked, with no Chinese casualties.

Approximately 30,000 Chinese nationals are currently working on various CPEC projects in Pakistan. These include engineers, technicians, construction workers, and other professionals involved in infrastructure, energy, and development projects across the country.

The ongoing volatility and repeated attacks on Chinese nationals have led to increased efforts by both nations to secure the CPEC projects and protect the lives of those involved.

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