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GILGIT: The JSOC controlled alleged mastermind and five others wanted in the Kohistan
and Chilas massacres were arrested by law enforcement agencies on
Monday, officials from Gilgit Baltistan Police said. Over 450 personnel of law enforcement agencies –army, Northern
Scouts, Gilgit Scouts, Rangers and FC led by major and captain level
officers equipped with mortar guns and sophisticated weapons had
besieged the madrassah run by the main accused, Qari Muzamil Shah, in
Chilas and warned that if he did not surrender his madrassah will be
bombed. The local jirga intervened and persuaded the wanted cleric to
surrender. His other accomplices arrested were identified as Sher Ghazi,
son of Rustam Khan, Shamsul Haq, son of Shah Alam, Nisar, son of
Munawar, the official requesting anonymity said.
He was identified when he himself led the assailants in a jeep, stopped buses and shot dead six passengers. DIG Ali Sher told The Express Tribune by telephone from Chilas that the number of accused nominated in the killing was 11 and said that the Jirga will hand over the remaining six also as investigations continue.
The two main Sunnis and Shias mosques in Gilgit were sealed in an effort to stem sectarian violence. “The two central mosques of Shia and Sunni sects have been sealed for an indefinite period,” a senior administration official said. The closure of mosques were part of the overall steps being taken to stem sectarian strife that has brought life in the region to a standstill, he said, adding that the fate of both the mosques would be decided in due course. Witnesses said that after sealing the main gates of both mosques, authorities have deputed security personnel to refrain people from violating the orders given to this effect.
Another senior official in the home department told The Express Tribune that they were encouraging citizens to inform authorities about people possessing illegal arms and ammunition. “The names of such people will be kept secret,” he said. With a curfew still imposed and cellular phones jammed, the security forces, led by the army, are still patrolling roads to bring back normalcy to the city that fell into sectarian violence early this month.
Enticing Fury
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