Taliban claimed responsibility on behalf of Junood ul-Hifsa, a new faction set up to avenge US drone strikes. PHOTO: AFP
One was an American with dual Chinese citizenship, three came from the Ukraine, two from Slovakia, two others from China, one from Lithuania and one from Nepal, they said.
It was the first attack on mountaineers drawn to the natural beauty and intrepid climbing of northern Pakistan, which until Saturday's shooting was considered relatively immune from violence elsewhere in the country.
Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) Pakistan claimed responsibility on behalf of Junoodul Hifsa, a new faction it said had been set up to kill foreigners to avenge US drone strikes on Taliban and al Qaeda operatives.
The gunmen stormed into a base camp at the foot of Nanga Parbat, the second tallest mountain in Pakistan, and shot dead the climbers at point-blank range, reports said. One Chinese survived the attack.
The killings will deliver a major blow to foreign trekking expeditions, which provide the last vestige of international tourism in a country on the frontline of al Qaeda and Taliban violence.
The bodies of the dead tourists were on Sunday flown to Islamabad from where they will be repatriated.
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lol why would anybody visit pakistan like this??? they dont even have a tourism logo and they donot even market themselves as a tourist destination...lol who on the earth would go there in the first place ???? the only foreign exchange they earn from tourism is either from pakistani expats or sikh pilgrims from abroad ... thats all they have among foreign tourists... this country is as it is cut off from the rest of the world ....is anybody a fool to go there... especially that american was a stupid to come to an anti american country !!!!
A few months ago, there was a lot of emotions flowing in relation to Malala. Now it is about the 10 innocent foreigners. The way I see it, Pakistan is a moving train (going in the wrong direction). It stops at stations in-between for fuel and supplies, and moves on.
@Kill TTP:
the truth of the matter is that US and India don’t want this Pak-China economic corridor to be built up.
Only 2 out of 10 killed were Chinese and one was an American.
Earlier the killers of 3 Chinese engineers were hiding in Lal Masjid.
And PTI is keen to hold talks with TTP.
By your logic all of them must be Indian agents.
What are we waiting for? how many more innocent people have to be killed by these barbarians? Lets go Pak Army, lets set the freaking place on fire.
The time is near when this country will be strictly quarantined from rest of the world.
China does not allow dual nationality with any country.
@ It Is (still) Economy Stupid: Are you really naive or acting to be one ???????
@ Alann: "Blaming on India without proof".
Are you kidding me ? What Brahamdad Bugti was doing in Red Fort in Delhi; why India opened up tens of consulates in Afghanistan near Pakistan border after US invaded Afghnaistan in 2002, and so on. Maybe you need to listen to what Musharaf said at India Toda't conclave about all the Indian activities in Pakistan.........the truth of the matter is that US and India don't want this Pak-China economic corridor to be built up.
@Zubair: "These attacks clearly shows that TTP is working for US, India and Israel…not Islam."
Confusing country with religion !!!!!!!!!!!
US, India and Israel are countries and not a religion and Islam is religion and not a country.
This line of thinking of many Pakistani muslims, even educated and echelons, makes them less trusted everywhere, even in other muslim countries.
well ALAAN from Alann .keep it up .You are not in minority in today's Pakistan .
Any statement from our interior minister on the identity of the perpetrators?
@Zubair: Of course! blame it all on India, US and Israel! Our government sucks, we have bred large number of terrorists. But it is not our own fault! It is India, Israel and US' fault, isn't it? We have been blaming India for all things happening wrong in Pakistan for past 65 years without any proof. But of course, it is easier to just blame everything on other countries instead of fixing our own problems. We are too lazy to fix our own country, we are seen as the terrorist breeding ground of the world. But of course, it is not our own fault! It is the fault of India and Israel and US. Sometimes I wonder why US bothers to give billions to Pakistan every year, and why does India even bothered to help flood victims of Pakistan with much more help than the useless government of Pakistan provided to its own citizens.
it is time that the people of Pakistan started behaving like people of the nation of Pakistan, and not like nation of Anti-India. Somewhere I once read a funny take on Pakistan's culture. "What is Pakistan's culture in one word? Hate India". Stop blaming others for your own failures. Grow up. India went far ahead of you in all fields. Only "field" where Pakistan is ahead of India today is Terrorism.
@Zubair: These attacks clearly shows that TTP is working for US, India and Israel. Q: If Taliban are working for US, India and Israel than why is Kayani negotiating for Taliban with Kerry? or Are you saying that followers of Islam in land of pure can not do anything wrong?
I dont see our clergy or religious parties or even political parties condemning this barbaric act.
These attacks clearly shows that TTP is working for US, India and Israel...not Islam.
@shariq: Pak Fouj zinabad ? Too early to say that isn't it? May be after they manage, if at all to capture the TTP culprits. Many Thanks.
Pak Fouj zinabad