• Judicial commission continues inquiry into deadly unrest
• Fired officers can appeal their dismissal

GILGIT: Eighteen police officers have been dismissed from service for alleged negligence in their duties during the deadly March 1 riots in Skardu, a Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) police spokesperson announced on Thursday.

The dismissals, which include one inspector, two sub-inspectors, head constables, and constables, followed a departmental inquiry into the violent clashes. The Regional Police Officer for the Baltistan Region issued the formal orders.

The unrest erupted in Gilgit and Skardu following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during US and Israeli attacks on Iran. The subsequent clashes left at least 20 people dead, including two security officials.

During the riots, protesters set fire to numerous properties, including security offices, a school, the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme building, an IT park, the Superintendent of Police’s office, and residences of police officers.

Offices of the United Nations in Skardu were also torched, prompting authorities to impose a multi-day curfew to restore order.

According to a police statement, the dismissed officers and personnel have a legal right to appeal their dismissal.

“The convicted police officers and personnel have the right to appeal to the Inspector General of Police Gilgit-Baltistan within the stipulated period,” the statement read.

It added that “the rule of law and the departmental system of punishment is being ensured in the Gilgit-Baltistan Police at all times.”

Those dismissed include Inspector Muhammad Anwar; Sub-Inspectors Tahir Ahmed Khan and Shakeel Ahmed; Head Constables Zahir Hussain, Kacho Muhammad Iqbal, Iftikhar Ali, Zulqarnain Rafi; and Constables Jalil Hussain, Muhammad Kazim, Mazhar Hassan, Suhail Abbas, Shabbir Hussain, Nasir Hussain, Ali Raza, Khadim Hussain, Tufail Ahmed, Zulfiqar Ali, and Abdullah.

Separately, a three-member judicial commission is continuing its fact-finding inquiry into the violence.

The commission, formed by the Gilgit-Baltistan government on March 17, is chaired by Justice Malik Inayatur Rehman and includes Justices Johar Ali Khan and Jahanzeb Khan.

The commission’s mandate is to determine the circumstances that led to the protests, damage to property, and loss of life. It is also tasked with recommending measures “to prevent such incidents in the future and to ensure peace in the larger public interest”.

Commission members have inspected incident sites and recorded statements from district administration and police officials. About 10 citizens have also formally requested to record their statements.

The investigation will be carried out “transparently, impartially and on the basis of merit so that the facts can be brought to light without any lapses”, the commission said in a statement.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2026