ISLAMABAD: In a shocking incident on Saturday at 18:30 hours, a passenger bus bearing the registration No. BLN 4647 operated by K2 Trekkers, en-route from Ghizar district to Rawalpindi on the KKH Road near the Hodor area, fell victim to a horrifying attack by unidentified militants from the southern mountains.
The bus, carrying passengers, faced an indiscriminate barrage of gunfire, resulting in the tragic loss of nine lives and injuring 25 passengers.
According to initial reports, the victims and the wounded were swiftly transported to the RHQ Hospital in Chilas for urgent medical assistance. Locals recounted that the aftermath of the gunfire rendered the bus uncontrollable, hurtling down the mountainous terrain until it collided with a cargo-laden truck bearing the registration number HNZ-136. The impact sparked a fierce fire on the truck, consuming its next section entirely.
Tragically, the truck driver succumbed to the accident, losing his life in the process. The multiple gunshots targeting the bus left it in a state of chaos, exacerbated by the subsequent collision and fire.
An official of the administration informed that five bodies were identified so far while three remained to be determined. He later confirmed that an injured person died later, bringing the toll to nine deaths.
The officials informed that most of the people belong to all of Pakistan, including Kohistan, Peshawar, Ghizer, Chilas, Roundu, Skardu, Mansehra, Swabi and one or two people from Sindh.”
Meanwhile, Diamer DC Captain (Rtd) Arif Ahmad confirmed the incident and said that two Pakistan Army soldiers were also martyred in the “cowardly act” while one personnel of the Special Protection Unit was injured as well.
Diamer Superintendent of Police Sardar Shehryar said the first responders on the scene were police officers who moved the dead and the injured, adding that the truck which had collided with the bus was also on fire and its driver killed.
“The rest of the cars there were secured and moved from there in the form of a convoy,” he said, adding that the location was secured as well to collect evidence.
GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan condemned the “cowardly act of terrorism”, said a statement issued from his office.
Authorities are currently engaged in a comprehensive investigation into this gruesome incident, aiming to identify the attackers and discern the motive behind this brazen act of violence on one of the region’s pivotal transportation routes. The affected families grieve the loss of their loved ones, and the community vehemently demands swift justice for this appalling assault on innocent travelers.
