GILGIT: Two soldiers of Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts were martyred and another was injured when armed militants opened fire on their checkpoint along the Karakoram Highway (KKH) in Diamer district on Friday, officials said.

Diamer SSP Abdul Hameed told Dawn that the attack took place near Chilas when unidentified gunmen opened fire on the paramilitary force’s post from an elevated hilltop.

“Three personnel were injured in the firing, two of whom later succumbed to their wounds,” he said, adding that nine soldiers were present at the post at the time of the assault.

The martyred were identified as Naib Subedar Khush Dad from Nagar and Havaldar Ashraf from Shigar. Lance Naik Sajid Ali from Ghizer sustained injuries and is under treatment at Regional Headquarters Hospital.

CM condemns assault, seeks report within 48 hours

According to the SSP, police officials, led by the deputy inspector general and the district police officer, reached the site within 15-20 minutes from Chilas. Police recovered two grenades and 10 spent shells from the hilltop. Seventeen bullet marks were found on the checkpoint.

After the incident, Elite Force units and additional police personnel were deployed to reinforce security and track down the attackers. “Raids are underway to arrest the culprits,” SSP Hameed said, adding that no group had claimed responsibility.

The area has witnessed similar violence in the past. In December 2023, 10 people were killed and 20 others injured when an Islamabad-bound passenger bus was attacked near Chilas.

GB Interior Minister Shamsul Haq Lone said security forces cordoned off the area and expanded search operations, adding that there had been no prior intelligence about the assault. He said the injured soldier was stable after treatment.

“The GB government will pursue the terrorists and bring them to justice,” the minister said. “Those who attempt to sabotage peace in this otherwise peaceful region are enemies of the country and the nation.”

GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan condemned the attack and called it a cowardly act. He sought a report from the home secretary within 48 hours and ordered strict action against those involved in the assault.

Political leaders and civil society groups across GB also condemned the attack and urged the government to act decisively against militants.

Diamer Youth Movement President Shabbir Ahmed Qureshi and General Secretary Numberdar Aala Sharif Shah described the assault as a cowardly attempt to destabilise the region. They called on law enforcement agencies to take swift action and assured the authorities of their support.

On July 21 this year, armed men martyred an FC soldier at a forest checkpoint along the KKH in Diamer, police said.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2025