The Pakistan Army on Saturday entered Chilas, headquarters of Diamer District, to conduct an operation to arrest terrorists behind killing of security officials.
“Troops of Pakistan Army have entered into the city and it is totally cordoned off and some four localities were searched out for particular people,” an official of administration said requesting not to be named.
He said that only the top military officials were leading the operation so entire details about what has been achieved so far is neither known by administration nor police had any idea.
An army colonel, a captain and a senior superintendent of police (SSP), investigating the June 23 killing of nine foreign tourists and one of their Pakistani guides in the area, were killed on August 6.
Victims of the mountain assault included climbers from China, Lithuania, Nepal, Slovakia, Ukraine and one person with joint US-Chinese citizenship. One Chinese climber had escaped the attack.
Helicopters of the Army Aviation kept hovering over the small town while exit and entry points of the city were sealed and people coming from far-flung parts faced hardship to get access to hospitals.
People in this remote area spent Eid inside their homes after offering prayers because the city was heavily flooded with troops.
“It is unique and unusual so people got scared and preferred to remain at home because movements of the residents were already restricted by the troops in the heart of city where they initiated an operation,” witnesses said.
The markets were closed and intra-city movements were also restricted but people had access to hospital with patients only inside the town. However, some shops were opened in the late evening, said a resident.
Residents were experiencing a new phenomenon which they never thought of as troops kept patrolling in the town and people saw them from the windows of their homes.
Molvi Muhammad Ayaz, the prayer leaders in Chilas, came down hard on those who were behind attack on foreigners and three top security officials.
“How can we say they are Muslims? They are not even human. We strongly condemn the barbaric acts and want the government to push them behind bars,” he spoke to the huge crowd.
“We are with the government, and they should have been arrested,” he continued. “May all of them go to hell,” he cursed. “How they can justify shedding blood of innocent humans.”
Separately, in an unusual move another place Darel valley, some 80 KMs west of Chilas, Brugi village, witnessed arrival of troops who cordoned off the area and looked for some men.
The operation was led by Muhammad Naveed, ASP Chilas headquarters, recently given charge of the superintendent of police following assassination of the senior superintendent of police Hilal Ahmed.
Police remained tight-lipped and did not leak any info regarding the operation and admin officials avoided phone calls.
However, another police official said GB Scouts, Frontier Constabulary and police were also assigned various duties.
“The only thing I can tell you four localities in the town, namely KKH area, Jalil Muhallah, Shaheen Kot and Takkia points are searched hitherto,” said the official on condition of anonymity.
There was no resistance from the public and the operation went underway smoothly, he added.
