Gilgit: Two separate gun attacks, targeting well known cleric Qazi Nisar Ahmed and Chief Court judge Malik Inayatur Rehman, left four people injured in Gilgit on Sunday.
According to Faizullah Faraq, the spokesman of GB government, unidentified gunmen opened fine on the convoy of Qazi Nisar Ahmed, the leader of Ahl e Sunnat wal Jamaat GB/Kohistan, near the police headquarters at around 10 am. Qazi Nisar sustained minor injury, while his driver and two security guards got multiple shots. All four were shifted to hospital by the residents of nearby locality of Nagir mohalla. Qazi Nisar has been released from hospital within an hour while other three are still admitted and their condition is said to be stable.
With an hour or so another incident occurred near City Hospital, where unidentified gunmen opened fire at the vehicle of Chief Court Judge Malik Inayatur Rehman. The judge and his driver escaped unhurt and his vehicle got damaged by multiple gunshots.
Spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan government, Faizullah Firaq, has termed the two major firing incidents that occurred in a single day as an alarming sign. He stated that Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan has ordered immediate and high-level investigations into both incidents. “Terrorists will not escape the grip of the law and exemplary punishment,” he said, urging the public to cooperate with the government to track down the attackers.
Protests and Tense situation
Following the firing incident on Qazi Nisar’s convoy, all business and commercial centers in the city were closed. A large number of people gathered at the hospital and called the incident an attempt to disrupt the region’s peace.
Protests were held at various locations in Gilgit against the incident. Demonstrations also took place at multiple locations in Qazi Nisar’s native district, Ghizer. In Ghulmet, a town in the Nagar district, protests were also held, as well as in Chilas, Jaglot, and other areas.
Karakuram Highway remained close for several hours due to protests at different locations in Chilas area.
The protesters strongly condemned the incident, calling it a foreign conspiracy to destroy the region’s peace. They demanded immediate investigation into both incidents and severe punishment for the attackers. Leaders, activists, and citizens from various schools of thought participated in the demonstrations.
Serious Concerns
The protesters specifically expressed concern over how the attackers managed to escape so easily despite the fact that the attack on Qazi Nisar Ahmed took place near the police headquarters. They questioned why the CCTV footage has not been released yet, especially since the incident occurred in a high-security zone where cameras are installed.
Alleged Culprits
A photo being circulated on social media shows a red Suzuki Carry vehicle with four individuals seated in the back, two of whom appear to be wearing police uniforms — with the word “Police” clearly visible on one of their caps. Another individual in the vehicle is seen wearing a blue shalwar kameez, while the rest are not clearly visible. It is being speculated that these might be the same individuals who fled the scene in the vehicle after the attack on Qazi Nisar. However, this claim has not been independently verified.
Jui appeals for restraint
Local leaders of Jamiat Ullema e Islam condemn the incident and demanded the thorough investigation and immediate arrest of attackers and the elements behind them. They especially appealed the community to refrain from blaming other sects.