Life in Gilgit city at standstill after the Babusar carnage

Najeeb Ullah

Gilgit  August 16: As the news of the death of 19 people at the hands of unknown terrorists at Babusar (Mansehra) reached Gilgit, the people, fearing riots, started closing their shops and offices and rushed towards their homes. In less than an hour the hustle and bustle of the mega city in GB was a thing of the past.

Protest demonstrations were carried out at various places around the city. Major roads of the city were blocked by demonstrators and security personnel. Local transport was halted and people were forced to walk to their houses.

Abbas, a resident of Khomer, on his way to his home after closing his store in down town Gilgit, said, “Eid was supposed to bring us happiness but we are now mourning”. He was in grief and had less hope about safety on the Karakorum Highway, as this was not the first time he had witnessed incidents like this.
Every other person on the street was both grief-stricken and enraged. “I am shocked. This is an inhuman act and the culprits should be immediately brought to justice”, said Shahid, a resident of Astore who lost his four relatives in the incident, he could not keep himself from crying.

Every other person on the street was in grief and enraged at the same time. “I am shocked. This is inhuman act and the culprits should be immediately brought to justice”, said Shahid, a resident of Astore who lost his four relatives in the incident, he could not keep himself from crying.