Terrorists carried out a brutal attack on a passenger bus in the Gilgit Baltistan region of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) on Saturday, resulting in the tragic loss of at least eight lives and injuries to 26 others, as reported by the police.
The targeted bus was en route from Gilgit to Rawalpindi when terrorists unleashed indiscriminate gunfire around 6:30 pm (local time) in Chilas, causing the driver to lose control. Subsequently, the bus collided with a truck approaching from the opposite direction, according to an official account.
Deputy Commissioner Chilas, Arif Ahmed, disclosed that, as of now, five of the eight deceased victims have been identified. He further stated that 26 individuals sustained injuries and were promptly transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
Tragically, among the casualties were two army soldiers who were on board the bus, while one member of the Special Protection Unit suffered injuries during the assault, as detailed by the Deputy Commissioner.
The victims hailed from various regions, including Kohistan, Peshawar, Ghizer, Chilas, Roundu, Skardu, Mansehra, and Swabi, with one or two individuals originating from Sindh.
Following the attack, the perpetrators managed to escape the scene. The critical condition of several victims raises concerns, and authorities anticipate the possibility of a higher death toll.
While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the region has a troubling history of terrorist incidents. In 2013, gunmen targeted a camping site for climbers in Gilgit Baltistan, resulting in the tragic deaths of nine foreigners. An ongoing investigation into the recent bus attack is underway, accompanied by a search operation to apprehend the perpetrators.
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