Parts of Gilgit-Baltistan shut down to protest Shia killings

Protests and demonstrations held in Skardu, surrounding areas.

SKARDU: A second day of complete shutter-down was observed in certain areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, with demonstrations and rallies being held in different areas in protest of the killing of 25 people by terrorists, Express News reported on Friday.

Following protests and a call by Shia clerics of Anjuman-e-Imamia Baltistan against the delay in the arrest of the perpetrators, the local government also announced three days of mourning, with educational institutions and offices being closed for the period.

Protests and demonstrations were held in different areas and it has been said that Eidul Fitr will be observed in mourning as well.

Earlier, gunmen pulled more than 20 Shias from a bus and shot them dead in the third such incident in six months, officials confirmed.

Officials said that the bus was ambushed in the hills of Babusar Top, around 160km north of Islamabad.