17 October 2004	Sunday	02 Ramazan 1425

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BEIJING, Oct 16: The body of Chinese engineer Wang Peng killed during a commando operation against kidnappers in Pakistan arrived in his hometown of Jinan, capital of China's Shandong province, on Saturday night.

A condolence ceremony was held at the airport which was addressed by Pakistan's Ambassador to China Riaz Mohammad Khan, the vice-governor of Shandong and the general manager of Mr Wang's Sino-Hyrdo company.

They expressed shock and sorrow over the death of Mr Wang and lauded his contribution in the ongoing construction of Gomal Zam dam.

The body was flown by a special plane of the Pakistan Air Force. Pakistan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar led a delegation that carried the body.

Earlier, Sino-Hydro company's chief executive Guo Jiantang said in Beijing that the company would fulfil its commitment to complete its ongoing five projects in Pakistan.

He was talking to Ambassador Khan who had visited the company's headquarters to condole Mr Wang's death.

The ambassador, who laid a wreath at the memorial established temporarily at the headquarters, said the entire Pakistani nation shared the pain and grief of their Chinese friends on the loss of the precious life.

He assured Mr Guo that the government of Pakistan would ensure safety and security of Chinese people working or living in Pakistan.-APP

Arshad Sharif adds from Islamabad: Before the PAF plane left the Chaklala airbase, Mr Wang's body was given a ceremonial military guard of honour.

Present on the occasion were Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, Mr Bakhtiar and China's Assistant Commerce Minister Chen Jian.

In a rare gesture of respect reserved usually for those who render exemplary services to the nation, Mr Wang's body was wrapped in the flags of Pakistan and China. Sources in the Inter-Service Public Relations said Mr Wang was honoured as he had sacrificed his life in the line of duty while working on one of the projects symbolizing the Pakistan-China friendship.

Mr Wang was kidnapped along with another Chinese engineer Wang Ende by militants in South Waziristan on Oct 9. He was killed along with all five kidnappers while Mr Wang Ende was rescued in a commando operation security forces conducted on Thursday after efforts to secure a safe release of the hostages had failed.

Talking to reporters at the airport, Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao said that security forces were hunting for the kidnap mastermind Abdullah Mehsud.

"They will be arrested and brought to justice," he said.

Later, Mr Sherpao and Mr Chen Jian drove to the interior ministry where the Chinese delegation was given a briefing about the tragic episode.

Mr Sherpao informed the Chinese delegation that the interior ministry had chalked out a comprehensive, foolproof and multi-layered plan for the security of the Chinese nationals working across the country.

Mr Chen Jian told Mr Sherpao that his government was satisfied with the steps taken by Pakistan to rescue the engineers.