Gilgit-Baltistan police dismiss 18 officers over Skardu riots

GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Police have dismissed 18 officers and personnel from service over alleged negligence during the deadly riots that broke out in Skardu on March 1, according to a police spokesperson.

The action was taken after a departmental inquiry into the violent unrest, and the formal dismissal orders were issued by the Regional Police Officer for the Baltistan Region. Those removed from service include one inspector, two sub-inspectors, several head constables and constables.

The officers dismissed are Inspector Muhammad Anwar; Sub-Inspectors Tahir Ahmed Khan and Shakeel Ahmed; Head Constables Zahir Hussain, Kacho Muhammad Iqbal, Iftikhar Ali and Zulqarnain Rafi; and Constables Jalil Hussain, Muhammad Kazim, Mazhar Hassan, Suhail Abbas, Shabbir Hussain, Nasir Hussain, Ali Raza, Khadim Hussain, Tufail Ahmed, Zulfiqar Ali and Abdullah.

The unrest in Gilgit and Skardu erupted after the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during US and Israeli attacks on Iran. The clashes that followed left at least 20 people dead, including two security officials.

During the violence, protesters torched a number of buildings and properties. These included security offices, a school, the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme building, an IT park, the office of the Superintendent of Police, and the homes of police officials. United Nations offices in Skardu were also set on fire. Authorities later imposed a curfew for several days in an effort to bring the situation under control.

According to a police statement, the dismissed personnel may challenge the decision through the legal process available within the department.

“The convicted police officers and personnel have the right to appeal to the Inspector General of Police Gilgit-Baltistan within the stipulated period,” the statement read.

The statement added:

“the rule of law and the departmental system of punishment is being ensured in the Gilgit-Baltistan Police at all times.”

Judicial commission continues inquiry

Separately, a three-member judicial commission set up by the Gilgit-Baltistan government is continuing its fact-finding investigation into the violence. The commission was constituted on March 17 and is headed by Justice Malik Inayatur Rehman. Its other members are Justice Johar Ali Khan and Justice Jahanzeb Khan.

The commission has been tasked with examining the circumstances that led to the protests, as well as the resulting deaths and property damage. It is also responsible for proposing steps “to prevent such incidents in the future and to ensure peace in the larger public interest”.

Members of the commission have visited the affected sites and recorded statements from district administration and police officials. Around 10 citizens have also formally sought to have their statements recorded before the commission.

In a statement, the commission said the inquiry would be conducted “transparently, impartially and on the basis of merit so that the facts can be brought to light without any lapses”.