Terrorist attack on passenger bus in Chilas: 8 dead, 26 injured

Eight people were killed and 26 injured in a terrorist attack on a passenger bus in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Chilas on Saturday.

According to the officials, the incident occurred at 6:30 pm in the Hudur area of Chilas when unidentified assailants opened fire on a passenger bus on Karakoram Highway in Chilas and suffered an accident after colliding with an oncoming truck.

Following the attack, the driver of the bus lost control and collided with a truck which ignited fire and burnt the truck.

The bus was travelling from Ghizar district of Gilgit-Baltistan to Rawalpindi, the police said.

According to the deputy commissioner of Chilas, the injured and bodies were being shifted to a nearby hospital.

DC Ahmad said the bus bearing registration number BLN-4647 was owned by a private company.

He said the “cowards” indiscriminately fired on the bus.

“There are a total of eight bodies, out of which five have been identified and the rest are under process,” he added.

GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan has condemned the “cowardly act of terrorism”.

A statement issued from the GB Chief Minister’s office added that a special team was formed for the investigation of the incident and a thorough inquiry was being conducted.

“The government will ensure that the terrorists involved in the attack are given the appropriate punishment and brought to justice. They will be apprehended and kept in custody according to the law, and strict punishment will be given. The government will utilise all its resources to apprehend the criminals.

“The government of Gilgit-Baltistan will bear all the expenses of the injured individuals and will ensure better medical facilities. The concerned departments have been given instructions for this purpose,” the statement said.