Two killed, four hurt in Chilas firing

GILGIT: At least two people were killed and four others injured on Saturday after clashes erupted between two groups in Chilas, the district headquarters of Diamer in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Diamer District Police Officer (DPO) Abdul Hameed told HUM News English that the firing broke out between the two rival groups over a land dispute.

He confirmed the deaths of two individuals and said the exact number of injured was still being verified, as some were taken home while others were shifted to the Regional Headquarters Hospital (RHQ) Chilas.

Chilas RHQ Deputy Medical Superintendent (DMS) Dr Mushtaq Ahmed said six people with bullet injuries were brought to the hospital.

“Two of them succumbed to their injuries, two are undergoing surgery, and two are out of danger,” Dr Mushtaq said.

The deceased were identified as Mehmood, 38, and Qari Zakir. The injured include Mir Gayas, Ejazul Haq, Binyamin, and Anwarullah.

While Chilas had been experiencing relative peace since the deadly bus attack two years ago, this unexpected firing incident has once again instilled fear and panic among residents.

On December 2, 2023, Chilas was engulfed in grief when eight people were killed and 26 others sustained injuries after unidentified militants opened indiscriminate fire on a passenger bus.

According to the Diamer deputy commissioner, the bus — bearing registration number BLN 4647 and operated by the private travel company K2 Travels — was en route from Ghizer to Rawalpindi when armed men on motorcycles intercepted it near the Hudur area of Chilas on the Karakoram Highway and opened fire, killing the driver on the spot.

As a result, the bus veered off course and collided with a cargo truck approaching from the opposite direction.

The militants managed to flee the scene after carrying out the assault.