‘Militants’ blocked Babusar Road near Chilas in GB: report
Several tourists and a senior minister left stranded on Babusar Road near Chilas after 'militants' have reportedly blocked KP-GB link road.
GILGIT: Several tourists and a senior minister left stranded on Babusar Road near Chilas after ‘militants’ have reportedly blocked Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)-Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) link road.
The militants reportedly set up blockades on one of the major arteries linking Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Gilgit-Baltistan, leaving a senior minister and several tourists stranded on Babusar Road near Chilas on Friday, Dawn News reported.
A voice clip shared on social media purportedly features Senior GB Minister Abaidullah Baig as saying that he was on his way from Islamabad to Gilgit when militants blocked the road to press authorities for the release of their accomplices from jail.
Sources said Habibur Rahman, GB’s most wanted militant commander who was accused of killing 10 foreigners in Nanga Parbat, and his accomplices blocked the road in Thak Village of Chilas in Diamer on Friday around 4 pm, leaving travellers on both sides stranded.
Sources said the militants were demanding the release of their accomplices, including those involved in the gruesome murder of foreigners in the Nanga Parbat area and other terrorist incidents in Diamer.
Dawn tried to contact police and officials to confirm the reports, however, no one responded until the filing of this report on Friday night.
Sources said political leaders and officials from the district were engaged in negotiations with the militants.
Later, an interview said to be that of the GB minister surfaced on social media. In the audio clip, a man could be heard saying that negotiations with the commanders were underway who had two basic demands. “They have sought release of their accomplices from jails and imposition of Islamic laws, with no women sports activities,” he said.
A netizen wrote on Twitter, “I am stuck on my way to Chilas from Babusar Top. Taliban have blocked the roads 7 km above Chilas. Right now I am between Babusar and Chilas, 14 km away from Chilas Zero Point. There are 8 to 10 families with us. Taliban have arrived at our location too. We are not allowed to move.”
I am stuck on my way to chilas from babusar top. Taliban have blocked the roads 7 km above chilas. Right now i m btw babusar and chilas , 14km away from chilas zero point. There are 8 to 10 families with us. Taliban have arrived at our location too. We are not allowed to move.
— Faaiz Sultan (@faaiz_sultan) October 7, 2022
Another Twitter thread claimed, “ALERT: Militants have blocked the Babursar-Chilas road leading to Gilgit City Senior Minister of Gilgit Baltistan Ubaidullah Baig who was travelling from Islamabad to his hometown was caught in the midst of the situation, he confirmed that negotiations were underway.”
“Baig also said that the militants had two demands, first the release of some of their jailed members and secondly the observance of principles of Shariah by not allowing women games. He said that the negotiations were being held in a peaceful manner so far.”
“A police official from the area with direct knowledge of the situation and who wished not to be named confirmed the developments. He said, “that the sectarian tensions in the recent past had snowballed into the current situation, we hope the situation will be resolved soon.”
ALERT: Militants have blocked the Babursar-Chilas road leading to Gilgit City Senior Minister of Gilgit Baltistan Ubaidullah Baig who was travelling from Islamabad to his hometown was caught in the midst of the situation, he confirmed that negotiations were underway 1/3
— The Khorasan Diary (@khorasandiary) October 7, 2022