PESHAWAR: Police have arrested 50 people suspected of arson attacks schools in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district, Inspector General Police (IGP) Sanaullah Abbasi told Arab News on Saturday.
Abbasi said the arrests were made in a string of raids during the last two weeks, adding that the operation is still ongoing.
On August 3, a group of unidentified attackers set fire to 12 schools in the region. While there were no casualties, since the schools were closed at the time, the incident has caused widespread panic in an area that is considered relatively peaceful.
Abassi confirmed that all of those arrested so far were involved in the arson attacks.
“Four militants, including their commander, Khalil, have been killed in the region since the August 3 attacks,” he said. “However, we also lost as many policemen in the fighting.”
Abbasi denied that the attacks and subsequent police action have created turbulence in the region, though he admitted that the situation was “tense” in Diamer District.
“We are also carrying out raids in the adjoining Ghizer District, since some miscreants, who were previously based in Diamer, have also fled there,” he explained.
All those arrested were locals, he confirmed, adding that his department was still trying to find out if they had links with any known militant organizations.
Quoting a Special Branch intelligence report, Abbasi said: “The recent incidents have not produced a negative effect on the region’s economy. According to our information, about 6 million tourists visited Gilgit-Baltistan over the last three months.”
However, Nawaz Khan Naji, a member of the area’s legislative assembly, wants the police to do more to combat “militants in the area.”
Law enforcement agency spokesperson, Inspector Wakeel Khan, said that the police were using “an iron fist” to deal with all criminals.
Police arrest 50 suspected arsonists in Gilgit-Baltistan
Police arrest 50 suspected arsonists in Gilgit-Baltistan
- A group of unidentified attackers set 12 schools in the region on fire earlier this month
- Police chief claims all those arrested were involved the attacks
Pakistan, Oman navies discuss maritime security, ink agreement to share shipping data
- Visiting Oman royal navy commander calls on Pakistan Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf in Islamabad
- White shipping agreement refers to exchange of prior information on movement of commercial ships
ISLAMABAD: The naval commanders of Pakistan and Oman discussed regional maritime security on Wednesday and signed an agreement to share shipping information with each other, the Pakistan Navy said in a statement.
The press release followed a meeting between Pakistan Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf and the visiting Oman Royal Navy Commander Rear Admiral Saif Bin Nasser Bin Mohsin Al Rahbi at Naval Headquarters in Islamabad.
Both navies maintain close professional relations, reflected in expert-level staff talks, joint training, bilateral exercises, and participation in multilateral exercises between the Pakistan Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman.
“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional maritime security and bilateral naval cooperation were discussed,” the Pakistan Navy said.
The MoU was signed by both sides at a ceremony at the Naval Headquarters, the navy’s media wing confirmed.
“The MoU is aimed at establishing of guidelines and procedures for information sharing in order to enhance mutual awareness of white shipping,” the Pakistan Navy said in a statement.
White shipping agreement refers to the exchange of prior information on the movement and identity of commercial non-military merchant vessels.
Information regarding the identity of vessels helps countries tackle potential threats from sea routes. This particularly helps in the development of a proper regional maritime domain awareness
The statement said Al Rahbi lauded Pakistan Navy’s professionalism and acknowledged its ongoing contributions to maritime security and regional stability.
Pakistan and Oman share geographical proximity and common maritime boundaries. Bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries span a wide range of areas, including economic cooperation, people-to-people contacts and strong defense ties.
In December, a Royal Navy flotilla from Oman visited Karachi to take part in the annual bilateral Thamar Al Tayyib (TAT) 2025 exercise.
Pakistan Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman have been conducting the TAT series of exercises regularly since 1980.
