Two injured in armed robbery attack on tourist car near Babusar

GILGIT: At least two people were injured when unidentified men opened fire at a tourist family from Sargodha late at Tuesday on Babusar-Jhalkad road.

The injured were identified as driver Rana Nadeem and another passenger Mujtaba.

The tourists were traveling in a Fortuner (AU-15) from Sargodha to Skardu when the incident occurred around 11 PM. There were six people in the vehicle, including women. The injured were shifted to Islamabad for further treatment.

The assailants tried to stop the vehicle on gun point. However, the driver did not stop the vehicle after which the assailants opened fire, leaving two injured.

The injured individuals were immediately rushed to a local medical facility and later shifted to Islamabad for further treatment.

The names of the other occupants in the vehicle were Subhan Akhtar, Murtaza Akhtar (sons of Akhtar Mahmood), Muhammad Umar (son of Imran), Arsalan (son of Ahmed Bukhsh), Aqsa (wife of Arsalan), and Naseem (wife of Naeem Akhtar), all residents of Sargodha.

A member of the affected family, Imran, recounted the terrifying experience in a video saying, “We were ambushed by three armed men. When they tried to stop us, I thought they might be money or phones snatchers, but, they opened fire without any warning. My driver lost an eye in the attack. It’s a miracle we’re alive”.

“I urge tourists to avoid this area; it’s not safe. There are thieves and bandits everywhere. We’ve faced immense brutality,” he added.

This was the second such occurrence in the area within a month when armed burglars targeted tourists. Earlier, on June 14, Volleyball player and sports activist Misbah Hina was robbed on the Naran-Babusar road. Armed robbers ambushed her family’s rental car in the Jal Saray area, stealing valuables at gunpoint.

District Police Officer Abdulhameed confirmed to HUM News English that 10 individuals have been arrested in connection with the  incidents. “Three more suspects have been identified, and once they are apprehended, the case file will be completed, he added.