SKARDU, Dec 21: Two persons were killed and three others injured when a passenger van was hit by a landslide on Skardu-Gilgit Road on Sunday, sources said.

The van was heading towards Gilgit from Skardu, when it was hit by the land slide near Asmani Mor along Burundo Nullah.

As a result, Nadeem of Gulabpoor Shigar and Akbar of Talu Roundu Valley died on the spot, while Ibadat, Kacho Ghulam Nabi and Sikandar sustained injuries.

The condition of the injured was stated to be out of danger.

Meanwhile, people from all walks of life have welcomed the proposed renaming of Nothern Areas as Gilgit Baltistan, as members of the NALA passed a joint resolution in the assembly.

They said the change of name was a longstanding demand of the people of this region.

The new name – Gilgit Baltistan – is still to be approved by the federal government.