13 killed in Gilgit and Chilas; Army summoned

GILGIT: Thirteen people have been killed in ongoing violent incidents in Gilgit and Chilas areas, Geo news reported.

According to official sources, armed men offloaded passengers from a bus and opened fire in Chilas. Nine people were killed while six buses were also set ablaze.

Earlier, curfew was imposed in Gilgit when four people were killed and 45 injured in clashes following a hand grenade attack.

In the latest development, the ISPR states that the Army has been summoned to Gilgit to control the law and order situation.

According to sources, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat was observing a shutter down strike on Tuesday when unknown men hurled hand grenades at Ittehad Chowk that injured two policemen and a civilian.

The grenade attack initiated clashes that later killed four people and injured 45 others. The injured were shifted to District Headquarter Hospital.

Different roads were blocked by burning tyres and incidents of aerial firing were also reported.

Witnesses said that the district administration and law enforcement agencies were not present to control the violent situation where as fear gripped the entire area after hostility.