Safe travel: Gunships readied for KKH security
The government has decided to use helicopter gunships to ensure safety of travelers on the strategic Karakoram Highway (KKH), according to the spokesperson for the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government.
The move has been prompted by deadly ambushes on passenger vans by sectarian extremists on the KKH in Hazara Division of K-P.
“The decision to use helicopter gunships has been taken at the request of Gilgit-Baltistan government to ensure safety of travellers,” said Mian Iftikhar Hussain, the provincial minister for information.
He was in Gilgit to distribute compensation cheques among the heirs of 18 people who were killed in an attack on a passenger van in February, this year.
Mian Iftikhar added that the provincial government would induct another 150 policemen in the police force to patrol the volatile highway. “These new policemen will be in addition to 120 we have already recruited,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2012.
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just a way of fooling around in the name of security. some people gonna make money out of it too. bring the culprits to justice which have already been identified. Army's monopoly in the region, will not let any development happen in the transportation industry. Why don't the government make all weather flight operation possible by installing all weather landing equipments and reduce the air fare. How much is the gunship helicopters gonna costs and how long they will be providing security?
Formally turning GB into a war zone!!
instead of providing gun ships provide ordinaray ships i mean why dont the government ensures there is an all weather air service to gb
How about arrest the known murderers first?
Only one and the viable solution is to provide automatic weapons, tracking systems and satellite phones to the Transporters.
Supplement with police on trail bikes, much better and cover large area as well.
What a ridiculous decision. Instead of using gunships, which would of no use, try to equip Police with necessary resource to counter such acts, improve intelligence and most of all, import the courage for yourself, to prosecute the criminals.
any step for the safety of people is appreciable. Although there is doubt that gunship helicopters will be able to provide the security.however it may be a deterrence for the crimes.