Islamabad: In a devastating incident, a passenger bus in Pakistan was targeted in gunfire, resulting in the loss of 10 lives. The tragic event unfolded at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday evening in the Hudur area of Chilas, when the bus, en route from Gahkuch in Ghizer, was fired upon and subsequently collided with an oncoming truck, as reported by The media.
Addressing a news conference, Diamer Deputy Commissioner Captain (retd) Arif Ahmad condemned the attack as a “cowardly” act. The victims, hailing from various parts of the country, including Kohistan, Peshawar, Ghizer, Chilas, Roundu, Skardu, Mansehra, Swabi, and one or two individuals from Sindh, were predominantly affected. Shockingly, two soldiers were among those killed, and a member of the Special Protection Unit sustained injuries.
First responders, including Karakoram Highway (KKH) police personnel, swiftly arrived at the scene, transporting the deceased and injured to a nearby hospital. The area of the attack has been cordoned off to facilitate the collection of evidence. The injured, including women and children, are receiving medical attention at Regional Headquarters Hospital Chilas.
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the motive behind the shooting remains unclear, as reported by The Express Tribune. Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan expressed strong condemnation, denouncing the incident as a cowardly act of terrorism. He announced the formation of a special investigation team to thoroughly probe the tragic event.
1. At least 8 passengers were killed and 26 are reported injured after a bus was attacked by yet unidentified terrorists on the Karakoram Highway at Hudur, near Chilas, in the Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan. #Chilas #KKH #GilgitBaltistan pic.twitter.com/yXraatJtk2
— Amjad Rehman Shah (@Amjadrehmanshah) December 2, 2023
