Chinese-American 'was target of Pakistan mountain massacre'

The massacre of 10 foreign climbers on Pakistan's "Killer Mountain" a year ago came after a failed attempt to capture a Chinese-American to use him as a high-value bargaining chip, officials and militant sources have said.

The June 22, 2013 attack at the base camp for the 8,126-metre Nanga Parbat, Pakistan's second-highest mountain, was the deadliest assault on foreigners in the country for a decade.

One year on, with tourism in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region still suffering, most of the 10 suspects implicated in the attack are still at large, while sources close to the investigation have cast doubt on the guilt of some of those arrested.

The victims were identified as three Ukrainians, two Chinese - including Chinese-American Chen Honglu - two Slovakians, one Lithuanian and one Nepalese as well as a Pakistani guide.

But dual national Chen was the prime target, according to militant sources.

The story begins in early June 2013, when a local jihadist contacted other fighters to tell them two mysterious commanders had arrived from out of town and wanted to meet.

The men met at a house in the town of Chilas, where the two strangers, wearing all-enveloping burqas, were introduced as important Taliban cadres from Afghanistan.