Panic and excitement grabbed Gilgit on Sunday, after unidentified gunmen launched two separate attacks targeting prominent priest Maulana Qazi Nisar Ahmed and Sengeommer Malik Inayature Rehman. The assaults left five people wounded and forced businesses all over the city to shut down.
According to Gilgit-Baltist’s Interior Minister Sham’s lonely, unidentified attackers, fire opened fire near the police headquarters and wounded Maulana Qazi Nisar Ahmed, Amer of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat with his driver and two security guards. It was reported that all the wounded were in stable state.
The second attack took place near City Hospital, where guns fired against the vehicle to Chief Court judge Malik Inayat Ur Rehman. The judge escaped undamaged, even though his car maintained several ball strikes.
“No one is allowed to disturb the peace in Gilgit-Baltist,” Minister Lone said, promising that the guilty would be traced and made an example.
Government spokesman Faizullah Pharaq described the assault on Qazi Nisar as a “FEIGT attempt to pull the region into chaos” and added that the government was determined to maintain peace and unity.
After the events, fears and anger spread over Gilgit. Protesters blocked roads in several parts of the city, erected barriers and demanded the immediate arrest of attackers. Intercity traffic between Gilgit and Islamabad was also suspended due to increased security concerns.
In solidarity, young people from all walks of life condemned the attacks and called on the authorities to catch the terrorists and secure lasting peace in the region.
Social media was amazed that users condemned the attacks and demanded rapid action, reflecting widespread indignation and concern about the deteriorating law and order situation.
A senior police officer reported that attackers were leaving two vehicles before flinging from the stage.
Main Minister Haji Yellow Khan and Governor Syed Mehdi Shah strongly condemned the twin attacks and denoted them a “conspiracy to destabilize peace” and instructed law enforcement agencies to capture those responsible without delay.
