Three Chinese engineers and their Pakistani driver were killed on Wednesday when their car was attacked by gunmen in the town of Hub, some 700 km southeast of Quetta, provincial capital of Balochistan, according to Chinese consulate officials.

Three other Chinese who were also in the car at the time escaped unscathed.

The Chinese consulate in Karachi confirmed that the three Chinese killed were from a cement making company in Hefei in east China's Anhui Province. The Chinese company is providing equipment and technical services for the construction of a local cement factory that will be completed in the first half of the year.

On Thursday morning, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce confirmed the identities of the deceased: Long Hongbao, Wei Jianpin and Zhao Bin

Chinese President Hu Jintao is deeply concerned about the safety of other Chinese working in Pakistan. He has ordered the Chinese Foreign Ministry, embassy and consulates to make representations to Pakistani authorities urging them to do whatever they can to find those responsible, and ensure the safety of other Chinese nationals in Pakistan. 

Hu also extended his condolences to the families of the deceased.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Khurshid Kasuri, sent condolences on behalf of Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf to the families of the victims.

The other 11 Chinese engineers working on the project are currently being housed in the Chinese consulate general, which is making arrangements for the repatriation of the bodies to China.

(Xinhua News Agency February 16, 2006)