GILGIT, March 5: Public and private schools, offices and markets opened on Monday after remaining closed for a week following an attack on passenger vans in Kohistan in which several people were killed. However, attendance was thin in the offices and schools.

Hospitals and courts also started functioning and people began returning to the Gilgit city after they had gone to their homes fearing violence in the city in the wake of the killings.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah and the chief secretary visited Chilas, the headquarters of Diamer district, and met with elders and public representatives. It was agreed at the meeting that a jirga from the district would make efforts for establishing durable peace in the region.

The people assured the chief minister of full cooperation in investigation of the Kohistan incident. They said those who were involved in the tragic incident should be awarded exemplary punishment.

Later, a 100-member jirga comprising notables from across the Diamer district was formed in Chilas.

Meanwhile, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik is likely to visit Gilgit on Thursday to review law and order situation in the city. Sources said the interior minister will brief members of the GB Assembly and Council regarding law and order.

On the other hand, several shops in Gilgit city were looted during the period shops remained closed. According to police most of burglaries took place in the jurisdiction of the Cant police station while only two shops were looted in the city police area. Police said the looted shops included vehicle spare parts outlets, general stores and bakeries. Police said cases had been registered against unknown thieves.