GILGIT, April 23: Two bus passengers were shot dead by masked men in the limits of the Bhasha police station in Kohistan district, some 160km east of Gilgit, on Saturday. A police official, who requested on remaining anonymous, said that at least between five and six masked men had blocked the Karakoram Highway by putting obstacles on it. The Rawalpindi-bound bus (DMR-2195) had to stop there. The miscreants asked the passengers to disembark. After checking their identity cards they allowed all passengers to embark on the bus except two.

He said the masked men shot dead both of them, identified as Shabbir Hussain and Raza Shah, which could not be confirmed through officials quarters. He added that the miscreants took away their NICs and belongings.

Northern Areas Chief Secretary Nadeem Manzoor hurriedly called a meeting to discuss the situation which was going on till the filing of this report late Saturday night.