GILGIT - Three policemen embraced martyrdom and two others sustained injuries in a pre-dawn attack by terrorists on the Karga Jut police checkpost in Gilgit on Saturday, the second violent incident this month in the relatively peaceful Gilgit-Baltistan.
Two terrorists were also killed when police retaliated. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
The mountainous area, whose peaks attract climbers and tourists from around the world, has been comparatively free of the deadly militancy that has plagued other parts of the country for years. Gilgit-Baltistan is home to the world’s second-highest mountain, K2.
On August 3, unknown militants torched 14 schools in one night in the region, but no loss of life was reported.
Police official Muhammad Zikriya told The Nation that six policemen were guarding the Karga checkpost, which was attacked by seven terrorists at 4am. He said that three policemen, including Nawab, Fazal Rehman and Sanaullah, were martyred and two others Zeeshan and Ziaur Rehman sustained injuries in the attack. He said that police also retaliated and killed two terrorists, including militant commander Khalil. The injured cops were shifted to Gilgit’s District Headquarters Hospital for medical treatment.
A local administration official, Dildar Hussain Malik, told AFP “The latest attack came in Kargah area where militants attacked a police installation engaging 12 policemen present there.” He added “We have arrested four suspected militants including two wounded in the encounter.”
GB Inspector General of Police Sanaullah Abbasi said a heavy contingent of police was deployed in Kargah and a search operation was underway. He said the killed terrorist Khalil was involved in killing of tourists at Nanga Parbat and in attack on schools in Diamer.
Furthermore, people staged a protest in front of the GB Chief Secretary office against the terrorist attack on the police checkpost. The protesters demanded army operation to flush out terrorists from the region.
Meanwhile, funeral prayer of the martyred policemen was offered at the Police LInes Gilgit, which was attended by GB Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, Deputy Speaker Jaffarullah, Force Commander Northern Areas Saqib Mehmood Malik, ministers, chief secretary and other officials.
GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq paid tribute to the martyred personnel and said that security has been put on high alert across the province. There will be no compromise on the government’s writ, he added.
Three cops martyred in Gilgit attack
