GILGIT, Sept 27 The incident of violence in which four persons died on Saturday has been widely condemned in the region declaring it an act to sabotage the forthcoming elections.

Talking to this correspondent, Pakistan Muslim League-N president Hafizur Rehman the act of terror would not affect the ongoing political reforms and elections for the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly.

He said involvement of external hands were possible in the incident. He expressed concern over the regional security situation and asked the government machinery to deliver. Criminals would not be allowed to overturn peace initiatives in the region, he added.

People's Lawyers Forum leader Amjad Advocate asked the people to be aware of the alleged conspiracies against the PPP-led government. He appealed to foil nefarious designs of anti-social elements and said such tactics could not demoralise the people as the PPP was gaining popularity in the region due to its public-friendly policies.

PPP leader Asif Gulab said such incidents were planned to damage the uplift process in the area. He said tough action would be taken against those involved in such incidents.

Councillor Mujahid Mansoori demanded of the government to expand the City Police Station, empower Rangers and allow them to deal with law and order situation independently.

Meanwhile, the local police have arrested four suspects including two policemen, said Inspector General Police Gilgit-Baltistan, Khurshid Alam, during a press conference. He said the devise used in the blast was improvised and one of the accused was also involved in the assassination of the deputy speaker. He admitted that there were some loopholes in the security system, saying that the police lacked professional skill to tackle public protests.

The IGP appealed to the people to strengthen hands of the police and come forward to defeat anti-social elements. He said that services of the Northern Areas Scouts were requisitioned for maintenance of peace in the area.

“No body would be allowed to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of Gilgit-Baltistan,” he said, adding that the federal government was inducting 5,000 personnel to overcome shortage of manpower in the police department.