GILGIT: Thousands of people took to the streets in Gilgit-Baltistan on Saturday to protest against the suicide bombing at Imambargah Khadijatul Kubra in Islamabad a day earlier.

A shutterdown strike was observed in Skardu, where a police inspector, Bahadur Ali from Ghanche, who embraced martyrdom in the incident, was laid to rest.

The strike was observed on the call of Anjuman-i-Imamia Baltistan. Shopping malls, shops, and trade activities remained suspended for several hours.

Thousands of people staged a protest sit-in at Yadgar-i-Shuhada, Skardu, and other areas of Baltistan.

Protest demonstrations were also held in Kharmang, Shigar and Ghanche areas of Baltistan.

Moreover, protesters blocked the Karakoram Highway at Danyor for several hours. Demonstrations were held at Shaheed Zamir Abbas Chowk and other areas in Gilgit. The protesters chanted slogans against the government and terrorists, demanding protection for citizens.

Four people from Gilgit-Baltistan, including the police inspector, were among the victims of the Islamabad blast, while several others from GB were injured.

Meanwhile, the funeral prayer of the martyred police officer was offered at the Central Mosque in Skardu.

Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party Workers (PPP-W) condemned the terrorist attack at the imambargah.

In a statement, Dr Safdar Ali Abbasi, President PPP-W, and Naheed Khan, former Political Assistant to Benazir Bhutto, said the barbaric assault on worshippers was an attack on humanity itself.

“Mosques and Imambargahs are sacred places where the names of Almighty Allah and His beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are echoed. These are places where there is no distinction between rich and poor, no protocol, no class, only the connect between the Creator and His creation,” said the statement.

PML-N Member National Assembly Isphanyar Bhandara also condemned the incident.

In a statement, he expressed condolences to the families of those affected and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.

He said attacks targeting civilians are unacceptable and reflect the brutality of those responsible.

Mr Bhandara stressed the need for a swift and transparent investigation into the incident and added that all those responsible must be dealt with in accordance with the law. He expressed confidence in law-enforcement agencies to identify those who planned and facilitated the attack.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2026