Sectarian violence in G-B: Arrests of terrorists demanded
Authorities urged to arrest the culprits or accept the blame.
“The government has defeated well-trained insurgents in Swat, then why cannot it do the same in Gilgit, which is a much smaller area,” said Haq. PHOTO: FILE
GILGIT:
Locals have condemned a recent roadside bombing, that left two persons injured, and demanded the authorities to bring the culprits to task. While condemning the ongoing surge of terrorism in the area on Thursday, they also called for pre-emptive measures to prevent such actions in future.
During a press conference,Ghulam Raza, a local, said, “We want the government to reveal identities of the terrorists. However, we do not accuse the government of being involved in such sectarian violence,” he said. Raza’s brother narrowly escaped as an explosive device went off near a petrol pump late Wednesday, injuring two persons on Airport Road in Kashrote area.
Following the blast, panic gripped the town as the regional government had already hinted at the possibility of terrorist attacks in Gilgit - Baltistan (G-B). “We are ready to cooperate with the government, provided it expresses will to curbing the attacks,” Raza further said.
“The government has defeated well-trained insurgents in Swat, then why cannot it do the same in Gilgit, which is a much smaller area,” said Attaul Haq, another local, said.
The speakers questioned the role of secret agencies, saying the frequency of bomb blasts has increased right under the nose of intelligence agencies operating in Gilgit.
About sensitive information being passed to the government from the interior ministry, they said Interior Minister Rehman Malik should arrest the suspected terrorists instead of forwarding warnings of such attacks.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2013.
Locals have condemned a recent roadside bombing, that left two persons injured, and demanded the authorities to bring the culprits to task. While condemning the ongoing surge of terrorism in the area on Thursday, they also called for pre-emptive measures to prevent such actions in future.
During a press conference,Ghulam Raza, a local, said, “We want the government to reveal identities of the terrorists. However, we do not accuse the government of being involved in such sectarian violence,” he said. Raza’s brother narrowly escaped as an explosive device went off near a petrol pump late Wednesday, injuring two persons on Airport Road in Kashrote area.
Following the blast, panic gripped the town as the regional government had already hinted at the possibility of terrorist attacks in Gilgit - Baltistan (G-B). “We are ready to cooperate with the government, provided it expresses will to curbing the attacks,” Raza further said.
“The government has defeated well-trained insurgents in Swat, then why cannot it do the same in Gilgit, which is a much smaller area,” said Attaul Haq, another local, said.
The speakers questioned the role of secret agencies, saying the frequency of bomb blasts has increased right under the nose of intelligence agencies operating in Gilgit.
About sensitive information being passed to the government from the interior ministry, they said Interior Minister Rehman Malik should arrest the suspected terrorists instead of forwarding warnings of such attacks.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2013.