The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government has escalated its efforts to apprehend those responsible for the recent bus attack in Chilas.
In an unexpected development, the region’s most-wanted militant commander, Habib-ur-Rehman, publicly distanced himself from the incident in a circulating video, condemning the attack on an Islamabad-bound bus that resulted in 11 fatalities, including two soldiers, and left 26 others injured in the Diamer district’s Hudur area.
Despite Rehman’s denial of involvement, concerns heightened due to his past association with various terrorist activities, including the murder of foreigners in the Nanga Parbat region and attacks on buses and schools in the Diamer district.
The commander, who previously faced capture in 2013, staged a dramatic jailbreak in 2015 and resurfaced publicly in July 2021, claiming an agreement with the government during an open forum.
Former Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman denied any deals with militants but expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation.
He accused the PTI government of undoing their policies, leading to a resurgence of openly displayed weapons in Gilgit city.
In response to the situation, Special Assistant to G-B’s Chief Minister Eiman Shah stated that the apex committee is determined to take stern action against militants, emphasizing the government’s commitment to upholding state authority.
GB’s Home Minister Shams Lone emphasized that no one in Gilgit-Baltistan could openly carry arms, and violations would face immediate action.
