At least one passenger was killed and three others injured on Sunday when their van hit an explosive device hidden under a culvert near Gilgit, officials said.
“The investigation carried out so far has revealed that an explosive device went off the moment the passenger vehicle passed over the culvert,” Usman Ahmad, the assistant commissioner of Gilgit told The Express Tribune. “It could be a remote-control bomb but we haven’t finished the investigation yet.”
The incident occurred at about 2.40pm at Minwar, about 20 kilometres from Gilgit. The van was heading towards the Haramosh Valley.
According to the preliminary information from the investigation, the engine of the van was thought to have exploded due to a technical fault. It was also believed that the explosion was caused by a grenade tossed into the van. However, once the investigation team reached the spot and the area was cordoned off, the actual nature of the blast was uncovered.
According to eyewitness accounts, one of the passengers had sustained serious injuries and was shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) by Minwar locals.
“We helped shift the injured passengers to the hospital,” said Tufail Ahmed, a resident of Gilgit.
However, the passenger later succumbed to his injuries.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 6th, 2012.
COMMENTS (7)
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Infact our government is blind. It can not see from tainted glasses the truth. Why not zardari and Gilani banned this Mehdi Force and Iran backed terrorism in GB and Balochistan. Because we all know money makes the mare go. For God, pl save this country from imported terrorism.
@Hussain Mehdi, I am not surprised, you failed to surprise any one as dollars AED has blinded and confused many, you are not separate case. The world is just playing with the drama started by the goat father of Al-Qaeda, while people like you have no idea, who has got the reward. I can understand that sometime people are so shy of their acts and belief that they think they can blind the world by telling such jokes.
@Hussain Mehdi: are you seriously so blind so as to not recognize the real perpetrators behind these atrocities?
The Lashkar-e-Mehdi should be banned because this organization is trained and funded by Iran. Pakistan should crush these elements to save Balochistan and Gilgit from these Iran-funded extremists. Hussain Mehdi, Quetta.
After FATA and Swat military operations, a large number of terrorists have moved to Chilas and adjoining areas. The safe heavens of terrorists are present in the Diamer District of GB. These militants want to turn the peaceful region of GB into lawless area. US and foreign agencies are supporting these militants to ruin the strategic partnership of China with Pakistan. GB government is completely failed in dealing with these terrorists. Federal government should act immediately, otherwise the GB will be no go area for ordinary public.