GILGIT, April 6: Authorities launched a crackdown on activists of sectarian outfits and arrested dozens of people on Thursday night and early Friday morning, officials said.

“Dozens have been arrested and more are yet to be taken into custody,” police officials said.

They said that raids were carried out in various localities of the city, including Amphary, Basin, Napura, Narote, Naikkoi, Kashrote, Nagarl and some other parts of the area.

Police officials said that raids were conducted by army troops together with officials of the administration, but police had no role in it.

They said that lists of the extremist organisations had been prepared and handed over to military authorities.

Meanwhile, residents of Gilgit city heaved a sigh of relief on Friday after authorities relaxed curfew for only two hours from 3pm to 5pm with restriction on gathering of more than two people.

People rushed to markets to buy essential commodities as within no time shops were empty in the small town.

Shopkeepers took advantage of the situation and charged people of high prices all commodities.

“I had to buy milk for the baby and got it but price was very high but I had to buy it,” said Waqas Ahmed in a market during the break.

ATM machines at some places were thronged where electricity was available, but a large number of people went homes without cash and could not buy even essential goods because most of the electronic machines were out of order.