GILGIT: A temporary check-post in Saingal village of Ghizer district was torched on Sunday night by suspected militants who escaped after snatching ammunition from security personnel.

According to sources, 12 attackers opened fire on a contingent of police deployed at the check-post situated 50km away from Gahkuch, the district headquarters of Ghizer, before setting the post alight.

Following an exchange of fire with security officials, the militants managed to escape to Diamer with the ammunition they had snatched from two personnel.

No casualty was reported.

The militants, the sources said, had attempted to enter Ghizer district through Saingal nallah, a path suspects involved in terrorist activities often use to escape.

Over a dozen nullahs from Ghizer and Gilgit lead to Diamer district.

The police contingent are residents of Diamer and hired on a seasonal basis and paid a nominal salary (Rs 8,000). Their job is to ward off robbers who steal locals’ livestock every now and then. In the past, attackers have also abducted girls in this area.

According to a local reporter, temporary police check-posts are mere tarp tents that are only a few feet high.

So far this month, 14 schools — half of which were girls-only centres — have been burned down in Diamer by unidentified assailants; three police officials have been killed near Kargah nullah and the house of Diamer’s Deputy Commissioner has been attacked.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.