6 people have been detained in link with an attack on a passenger bus in the Chilas region of Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district. The information about the above mentioned has been shared by the local police officials.
At least nine people, including two soldiers, lost their lives, and 21 passengers received injuries when unknown attackers opened fire at the Rawalpindi-bound bus from nearby hills, resulting in causing the vehicle to collide with a goods truck.
Meanwhile, transporters have suspended bus services from Rawalpindi to districts across Gilgit-Baltistan and called for foolproof security for vehicle and passengers.
Sharing the information on the above mentioned, the Home Minister of Gilgit Baltistan said, “The attack was unlike previous incidents that took place in the region as they were “sectarian” in nature. This was not a sectarian attack. It was a terrorist attack in which people from various areas and sects were killed.”
He said the locals of Diamer “rejected such attacks by a handful of miscreants.”
The minister held out the assurance that the Gilgit-Baltistan government has taken “tough decisions” to deal with militants and “all culprits will be detained soon.”
He mentioned that, the religious scholars from all the sectors, including civil society and political parties have denounced the attack.
As per Lone, Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Gulbar Khan, Maj Gen Kashif Khalil of Force Command Northern Areas, and other top officials have reached Chilas to take part in the funeral of those killed in the attack.
The Chief Minister has also made an announcement a compensation of Rs1 million for the deceased, Rs500,000 for the seriously injured and Rs300,000 for other injured passengers.
He said that passenger vehicles would travel through Diamer during the daytime. The convoys of five to 10 vehicles will be escorted by security personnel.
He assured that the government’s writ would be restored and the attackers would be arrested.
