Body of cleric attacker recovered, say police

Police on Wednesday claimed to have recovered the body of one of the attackers involved in the gun assault on cleric Maulana Qazi Nisar Ahmad.

According to officials, the wounded militant's accomplices abandoned his body along the roadside near Sultanabad before fleeing the scene. The body was later taken into custody and shifted to a hospital after completion of legal formalities.

Addressing a press conference at the District Police Headquarters, DIG Gilgit Range Raja Mirza Hassan, Commissioner Gilgit Division, and other senior officials said that complete CCTV footage of the incident was available. They added that nine suspects had been detained as part of the ongoing investigation.

The attack took place last week near the Central Police Office (CPO) in Nagar Colony, Gilgit, when unidentified gunmen opened fire on the convoy of Maulana Qazi Nisar Ahmad, injuring him and four of his guards. The incident raised concerns about sectarian tensions in the region, prompting authorities to place the entire area on high alert.

Police sources said the 2D car used in the attack had been handed over to Inam Hussain a day earlier by its owner, Iqrar Hussain, who is now in custody. Law enforcement agencies are continuing efforts to trace the remaining suspects and gather additional evidence.