QUETTA, Feb 15: Three Chinese engineers working for a cement plant and their Pakistani driver were killed in an ambush in Hub on Wednesday.

Three other Chinese engineers accompanying them escaped unhurt, sources said.

The six engineers were on their way to their residence after completing the day’s work at the Attock Cement Factory.

Their vehicle was ambushed by two gunmen hiding in bushes along the road. The assailants opened fire with automatic weapons, killing two engineers on the spot. Two other engineers were injured in the attack.

Police sent the injured engineers and the driver to the Civil Hospital where they succumbed to their injuries.

The two attackers, who were riding a motorbike, managed to escape after the incident.

Official sources said 14 Chinese engineers were working on a project to install a new plant in the factory, a joint venture of Saudi and Pakistani investors. The installation work had almost been completed.

“The Chinese engineers were going to their residences without security guards provided to them,” Chaudhary Mohammad Yaqoob, Inspector-General Police Balochistan, said. He said that their residence was only a kilometre from the factory.

Some suspects had been rounded up, police said.

Those killed were identified as Long hong-Dai, Zhao Din, Vei Jaineing and driver Munshi Shahzad Anjum.

The management of the Attock Cement Factory has decided to send the remaining Chinese engineers back to their country.