Gilgit Baltistan (GB) Inspector General Usman Zikria Wednesday claimed that 15 terrorists involved in killing of foreign tourists at Nanga Parbat base camp have been identified.
He said the terrorists belong to banned organisations with 10 from Diamer, three from Kohistan and two from Mansehra. The GB chief secretary added that terrorists were present in batches along the mountainous regions.
Zikria said Majeed, the mastermind of the attack, belonged to Chilas.
Attackers dressed in police uniforms stormed a base camp at the foot of Nanga Parbat late Saturday, shooting dead 10 foreign climbers and a Pakistani guide at point-blank range.
The IG said an operation to arrest the culprits was underway with the help of army and local jirga members.
He said helicopters were also being used in the operation.
“Local Jirga has assured that the culprits would be arrested within two days,” he said.
Sources said that the terrorists responsible for killing foreign tourists in Gilgit have taken refuge in a jungle adjacent to Buner Valley, according to information gathered by security agencies while using sniffer dogs.
They added the police and other security agencies have encircled the jungle, spread on a very vast area, after getting tip about the killers’ hideout and they are ready to launch a robust search operation to capture the culprits.
Some locals have informed the law enforcers about the presence of few suspected persons in the jungle, added sources.
Another search operation to capture the culprits is already underway on Nang Parbat and its surrounding area.
The top army and civil officials are present in Diamer to monitor the search operation.
