Chilas bus shooting

Terrorist attack in Gilgit-Baltistan

Chilas is located in Gilgit Baltistan
Chilas
Chilas
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Chilas is located in Pakistan
Chilas
Chilas
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LocationChilas, Gilgit-Baltistan, PakistanDate2 December 2023
18:30 (UTC+5:00)TargetPassenger bus
Attack type
Mass murder, mass shootingDeaths10Injured25MotiveTerrorism
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Terrorist attacks
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Italics indicates attacks resulting in more than 40 deaths
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On 2 December 2023, a mass shooting was carried out against a bus in Chilas, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, killing 10 people.

Background

The Convey system[clarification needed] had been in place since 2012 when buses moved from Rawalpindi to Islamabad; however, the system was halted 10 days prior to the incident.[1]

Shooting

On 2 December 2023, a K2 passenger bus departing from Ghizer to Islamabad came under severe gunfire, killing 10 people and injuring another 25.[2] The bus was en route to Rawalpindi when gunmen opened fire in Chilas in Gilgit-Baltistan.[3] The driver was killed on the spot, resulting in the bus colliding with an ongoing truck, causing further casualties.[4]

Investigation

On 3 December, the Diamer police filed a First Information Report (FIR) and arrested six suspects in connection with the attack. The Police Public Relations Officer confirmed that six suspects have been taken into custody at two police stations so far.[5]

Reaction

The Deputy Commissioner of Diamer stated that the passengers affected were from different parts of Pakistan, including two Pakistan Army soldiers and a Police official from the Special Protection Unit (SPU).[6] While some sources suggest that the incident occurred due to unintended gunfire, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.[7]

PML-N member Maryam Nawaz strongly condemned the attack, expressing condolences for the affected families and sympathy for the martyred soldiers. She emphasized what she called the “terrorists'” attempts to disrupt Pakistan's economic progress but asserted that such actions would not impede the nation's overall advancement.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Pakistan arrests 17 over fatal bus attack in Gilgit-Baltistan". The National. 2 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  2. ^ "9 dead, 25 injured in 'terrorist' attack on passenger bus in GB's Chilas". Dawn.com.pk. 2 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  3. ^ "10 martyred in Chilas bus attack". Tribune.com.pk. 2 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  4. ^ "At least 10 killed, several injured in Chilas bus attack". Samaa.tv. 2 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  5. ^ "6 arrested, case registered after bus comes under gun attack in G-B's Chilas". Dawn. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  6. ^ "8 killed, 26 injured, after passenger bus is attacked by terrorists on Karakoram Highway". Pamir Times. 2 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  7. ^ "Gunmen kill eight bus passengers in northern Pakistan". Al Jazeera. 2 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Maryam denounces Chilas bus attack". Dunya News. 3 December 2023. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.