GILGIT:
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gilgit-Baltistan Afzal Mohammad Butt on Monday revealed that eight to ten terrorists were involved in the assassination attempt on prominent religious scholar Maulana Qazi Nisar Ahmad.
He said the real perpetrators have been identified and that their arrests are expected within the next few days.
Speaking to media representatives in Gilgit, the IGP said, “We have identified the actual culprits behind the attack. Our intelligence and investigation teams are working round the clock to ensure that those responsible are arrested as soon as possible”.
He added that all law enforcement agencies were coordinating closely and that progress in the case had been significant since the incident took place.
Home Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Ali Asghar also confirmed that important evidence and leads had been obtained through joint efforts of police and intelligence institutions.
“This case is being investigated with utmost seriousness. The network involved is being traced, and no one will be spared,” the home secretary said.
Earlier, Home Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Shams Lone said that substantial evidence had been collected regarding the terrorists involved in the attack on Ameer Ahl-e-Sunnat wal Jamaat Gilgit-Baltistan and Kohistan, Qazi Nisar Ahmad.
“Law enforcement agencies and intelligence institutions are working with utmost precision to reach the culprits. The terrorists involved in this heinous act will be pursued to their graves and brought before the public,” Shams Lone vowed.
Calling it a high-profile case, the home minister said the government was treating the matter with complete seriousness. He also urged the public to remain patient and avoid spreading rumours on social media.
“I appeal to the people to play a positive role on social media and avoid speculation. The law will take its due course,” he said.
Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan visited Gilgit on Monday morning to inquire about the health of Maulana Qazi Nisar Ahmad. He expressed solidarity and prayed for his swift recovery.
Force Commander Gilgit-Baltistan also visited the hospital, met with Maulana Nisar, and presented a bouquet of flowers as a gesture of goodwill. Afterwards, the chief secretary Gilgit-Baltistan also visited the hospital and expressed his best wishes for the scholar’s recovery.
Meanwhile, the apex committee of Gilgit-Baltistan convened an emergency session chaired by Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan at the Apex Committee Room in Jutial. The meeting was attended by the Commander FCNA, Chief Secretary, IGP, Home Secretary and senior representatives of law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
During the meeting, participants strongly condemned the terrorist attacks on Maulana Qazi Nisar Ahmad and Justice Malik Inayat-ur-Rehman, reaffirming that peace and order in the region would be preserved at all costs and that those involved in these heinous acts would face justice without delay.
Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan appealed to the people to remain calm and cooperate fully with security institutions to ensure lasting peace in Gilgit-Baltistan. The commander FCNA assured that the security forces were fully prepared to protect citizens and maintain law and order.
