China strongly condemned on Tuesday a terrorist attack that killed five Chinese nationals and one Pakistani, urging Pakistan to take practical and effective measures to protect the security of its citizens, institutions and projects, and to prevent similar incidents.

According to a statement issued by the Chinese embassy in Pakistan, the Chinese diplomatic missions immediately activated emergency response work and called for Pakistan to conduct a thorough investigation into the attack and severely punish the perpetrators.

Reports said a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle into a convoy of Chinese engineers working on a dam project undertaken by a Chinese company. The engineers were on their way from Islamabad to their camp at the dam construction site in Dasu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The Chinese embassy and consulates have expressed deep condolences over the tragedy and extended sincere sympathy to the relatives of the victims, the statement said, adding that they are making efforts with Pakistan to handle follow-up matters.

The Chinese diplomatic missions in Pakistan also reminded Chinese citizens and companies to pay close attention to the local security situation and take more precautions.

Also on Tuesday, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visited the Chinese embassy in Islamabad and met with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong to offer condolences over the deaths of the Chinese nationals.

In addition, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said in a statement that anti-Pakistan elements will never succeed in damaging the friendship between Pakistan and China.