Chilas bus attack: G-B home minister disputes admin’s claim of making arrests

GILGIT: Diamer police on Sunday registered a First Information Report (FIR) in connection with the attack on an Islamabad-bound bus in the Hudar area of Diamer district, Gilgit-Baltistan, that occurred the day before.

An act of violence unfolded on Saturday evening in Chilas, when an Islamabad-bound bus became the target of unknown gunmen. The attack claimed the lives of nine individuals, including two soldiers, and left 26 passengers injured, sending shockwaves throughout the region.

The assailants, positioned on nearby hills, opened fire on the bus, leading to a catastrophic collision with a goods truck. The motive behind the attack remains shrouded in mystery, as no organization has claimed responsibility.

Diamer Deputy Commissioner Public Relations Officer (PRO) Raja Ashfaq Tahir told HUM News English that a case was registered against unknown miscreants, and six suspects had been taken into custody from the nearby areas of the incident who were found wandering at the scene that night.

However, GB Home Minister Shams Lone denied the claims saying no arrests were made in this regard.

“A thorough search operation was under way to trace the culprits. An air search operation was also carried to locate the miscreants possibly hiding in the mountains,” Lone, who was enroute from Diamer to Gilgit, said while talking to HUM News English on the telephone.

Expressing suspicions of India’s involvement, Minister Lone cited the strategic significance of Diamer, housing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Diamer Basha Dam, as a possible motivation for the attack.

The minister said that G-B Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan has formed a special investigation team to thoroughly probe into the incident.

He assured that those involved in the heinous attack would face the full force of the law, and their arrest would be a top priority for the regional government. He added that the G-B government would cover all the expenses related to the medical treatment of the injured. Lone said that GB CM has announced Rs 1m for the deceased, Rs 0.5m for the seriously injured and Rs 0.3m for minor injuries.

He added that the government of Gilgit-Baltistan stands with the affected individuals in this difficult time. “The blood of the martyrs will not go in vain, and all the murderers will be brought to justice,” Lone said.

He emphasised his government’s commitment to maintaining peace in G-B, stating that any attempts to sabotage security in the region would not be tolerated.

Eight killed, 26 injured in Chilas bus attack

Separately, funeral prayers of Havaldar Nasir Ahmed and Sepoy Abdul Qayum deceased in the incident were offered with GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, Force Commander Major-General Kashif Khalil and top army officials in attendance.  Nair hailed from Shakargarh, Punjab while Qayum was a resident of Shehdadkot, Sindh. The bodies were later dispatched to their hometowns by Rescue 1122.

Similarly, funeral prayers of two other deceased Kamal Abbas and Ansar Ali were offered at Imamia Masjid Gilgit. Addressing the occasion, Anjuman Imamia President Sajid Ali Baig asked the government to make an alternative route to KKH saying the highway is no longer secured for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. He said the government should arrest the culprits by Friday otherwise massive protests will be held in the region.

Earlier, GB chief minister and home minister visited injured persons at the Chilas hospital and directed the medical staff to ensure the provision of the best medical care.

Updating that the hundreds of passengers stranded in Bisham, Kohistan and other areas due to the closure of the Karakoram Highway, the minister said that he ordered the opening of the road and ensuring their safety.

Meanwhile, GB transporters criticised the government and law enforcement agencies for their failure in securing the lives of transporters and passengers on KKH.

The Transporters Union organized a rally from Jutial Bus stand to the Gilgit Press Club, protesting against the bus attack. Diamer youth also held a protest demonstration at the GPC, stating that these incidents have defamed the people of Diamer.

Expressing deep grief over the martyrdom of innocent citizens in the incident, caretaker Prime Minister Kakar extended heartfelt prayers for the patience of the bereaved families. He emphasized that targeting unarmed civilians was clear proof of the terrorists’ cowardice. The caretaker PM underscored the resolve to combat terrorism and maintain peace in the region.

The premier declared that the war against terrorism would persist until its complete elimination in the country.

Similarly, Interim Interior Minister Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, on Sunday, strongly condemned the firing incident, labeling the act of targeting civilians as cowardly. In his message, Bugti pointed out that anti-national elements were attempting to undermine GB’s peace. However, he asserted that such cowardly acts only served to boost the morale of the valiant forces, encouraging them to combat terrorism with increased vigor and bravery.

Bugti emphasized that the enemies of the country sought to disrupt the peace in a serene area like GB but reassured that their attempts would ultimately fail. He acknowledged the sacrifices of the nation in the ongoing war against terrorism, affirming that these sacrifices would not go in vain.

Joining the chorus of condemnation, PPP co-chairperson and former president Asif Ali Zardari called for stringent penalties for the perpetrators of the attack. Zardari extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs and fervently prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.