GILGIT, July 3: At least seven alleged suicide bombers have been arrested from various parts of the western district of Ghizer. They have been accused of planning to sabotage the annual Shandur polo gala to be held at Ghizer-Chitral, 200kms west of Gilgit, from July 7.

Gilgit’s senior police officer Faisal Rana said that explosive jackets, pistols, AK-assault rifles and other material which could be used for subversive activities had been seized from the allegedsuicide bombers. He, however, declined to divulge the names and the accused and the mastermind for security reasons and said they were being interrogated.

A large number of dignitaries visit the Shandur gala each year and last year President Pervez Musharraf was the chief guest.