Militants have carried out an attack on a bus in northern Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of nine people, including two soldiers, according to local police. The incident, which took place along the Karakoram Highway in the Gilgit Baltistan region, also left over 20 others injured. The unidentified gunmen targeted a bus operated by a local private company from nearby hills, causing the bus to swerve into a goods truck and resulting in a head-on collision. Both drivers were killed in the fire that followed the impact. In addition to the deaths, two soldiers of the Pakistan Army were also killed in the attack, while a police official was injured. The injured individuals were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
The Karakoram Highway, which passes through the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, serves as a crucial link between Pakistan and China. The Gilgit Baltistan region has a history of terrorism, with the presence of various militant groups including the Pakistani Taliban. Shams Lone, the home minister of Gilgit Baltistan, described the attack as an “act of terrorism.” Pakistan’s interim prime minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, condemned the incident and stated that “anti-state elements” would not be allowed to disrupt the peace in Gilgit Baltistan. He also pledged to continue the fight against terrorists. An investigation into the attack has been launched, according to Gulbar Khan, the chief minister of Gilgit Baltistan.
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The area where the attack took place has been cordoned off by law enforcement authorities, leading to redirected traffic. The attack highlights the ongoing security challenges in Pakistan, particularly in regions prone to terrorist activities.
