- GB Interior Minister confirms incident, saying five people injured in both attacks
GILGIT: Tension gripped Gilgit on Sunday folloowing two separate gun attacks, targeting cleric Maulana Qazi Nisar Ahmed and Chief Court Judge Malik Inayatur Rehman, left five people injured and triggering a citywide shutdown, the police confrimed.
According to Gilgit-Baltistan Interior Minister Shams Lone, unidentified gunmen opened fire near the Police Headquarters, injuring Maulana Qazi Nisar Ahmed — the Ameer of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat — along with his driver and two security guards. All injured were reported to be in stable condition.
A second attack occurred near City Hospital, where assailants fired at the vehicle of Chief Court Judge Malik Inayat ur Rehman. The judge escaped unhurt, though his car was struck by multiple bullets.
Authorities said the attackers abandoned two vehicles before fleeing. “No one will be allowed to disrupt peace in Gilgit-Baltistan,” said Minister Lone, vowing to bring the culprits to justice.
Government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq called the attack on Qazi Nisar a “cowardly attempt to drag the region into chaos,” while Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan and Governor Syed Mehdi Shah condemned both incidents as a “conspiracy to destabilise peace.”
Following the attacks, markets and transport services were shut as fear and anger spread across the city. Protesters blocked roads, demanding immediate arrests. Intercity travel between Gilgit and Islamabad was suspended amid tight security measures.
Residents and youth groups across the region strongly denounced the violence, urging authorities to ensure lasting peace. Social media users also expressed outrage, demanding swift accountability for those involved.
