Tension prevails in Gilgit, Hunza Nagar post Kohistan killings

GILGIT: Tension has gripped different areas in Gilgit and Hunza Nagar after 18 passengers were brutally killed in Kohistan on Tuesday, Geo News reported.

According to sources, the funeral prayers of 11 identified victims will be held today at 1 pm while curfew will be effective from 12 noon. The collective funeral prayers will be held at Imamia Jama Masjid after which the bodies will be sent to their native areas.

Local residents are already restricted to their houses while thin transport was observed on the roads.

Eighteen people were killed in a sectarian attack when unidentified gunmen forced them to disembark from four Gilgit-bound passenger buses and sprayed them with bullets in Kohistan district on Tuesday.

District Police Officer, Kohistan, Muhammad Ilyas said the armed men hiding on both sides of the road intercepted many buses in the Harban Nala area early in the day and ordered more than 100 passengers to get off the vehicles. He said that 18 passengers were separated, their papers were checked and were gunned down after their identification. He said the killers fled the scene after committing the crime. Mohammad Ilyas said the bodies were taken to the Rural Health Centre in Shatial from where they were shifted to Gilgit.

Media reports said one Ahmad Marwat, claiming to be the commander of the shadowy Sunni militant group, Jandullah, claimed responsibility for the attack. Survivors said seven to eight killers were involved in the attack.

Violence erupted in Gilgit as a result of the sectarian attack, claiming at least one life. The deceased has been identified as Ubaidullah, who was shot dead near the public school roundabout in the Joeyal area.

All the government and private offices, educational institutions and business centres across Gilgit-Baltistan were shut down after the news of attack reached the area. Security in the six districts of Gilgit-Baltistan was put on red alert.

All exit and entry points to Gilgit have been completely sealed on the directives of the deputy commissioner. Section 144 has also been imposed banning assembly of four or more persons and the display of arms. Educational institutions have also been closed in Gilgit for three days as a precautionary measure in the wake of a posible violent reaction by the victim community members.