ISLAMABAD: Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki on Saturday offered his condolences over the deaths of 21 people during a snowstorm in the Pakistani hill station of Murree, 64 km (40 miles) northeast of the capital Islamabad.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had predicted heavy snowfall in Murree and the Galiyat mountainous regions from January 6 to 9. Despite appeals by authorities to postpone plans due to bad weather and roadblocks, tens of thousands of snow-tourists reached the resort town over the past two days.
At least 21 people, including nine children, died in freezing temperatures after being stuck in their vehicles overnight on snowed-in roads in a crisis that trapped thousands.
“We condole with the families of those who died in Murree and pray for God’s mercy for them,” Ambassador Al-Malki said in a Twitter post.
“We wish for the well-being of the rest of all.”
On Saturday, the local administration declared Murree “calamity hit,” with long lines of cars stuck in the resort town after the snowstorm made the roads impassable.
Rescue efforts to get people and vehicles out were still ongoing on Saturday evening.
“Our teams are in the field and trying to rescue stranded people as quickly as possible,” Rafaqat Zaman, a spokesperson for the Rescue 1122 emergency service, told Arab News, saying up to six feet of snow had accumulated on the roads and streets, and thousands of tourists and vehicles were trapped in it.
“The death toll may go up, but we don’t want to speculate on it,” he said.
The Pakistan army on Saturday afternoon announced it had established four camps in the area and a “control division” and opened rescue centers.
“Heavy machinery from Murree army engineers division and FWO (Frontier Works Organization) are working without any pause to assist people who are struck,” the army’s media wing said. “Troops are out in the field. Where machinery can’t reach, troops have been moved and they are clearing traffic and opening roads.”
On Friday evening, the Islamabad administration announced it was closing the roads leading to Murree for the rest of the weekend “in public interest.”
For hours overnight and well after daybreak on Saturday, thousands of cars lined the snow-clogged roadway as their drivers grew increasingly desperate about their predicament and exasperated by what appeared to be a slow response by authorities.
Authorities in Rawalpindi, which is adjacent to Islamabad, said on Saturday over 23,000 stranded vehicles had been already evacuated from Murree and around 1,000 were still stranded.
A strong westerly wave entered Pakistan’s western and upper parts earlier this week, producing rain and snowfall. It is forecast to grip the areas until Sunday.
Saudi ambassador offers condolences over tourist deaths in Pakistan snowstorm
https://arab.news/pcybt
Saudi ambassador offers condolences over tourist deaths in Pakistan snowstorm
- Thousands arrived in Murree in last two days to see snow despite authorities’ appeals to postpone plans
- A snowstorm made the roads impassable, stranding motorists without food and water in the freezing cold
Pakistan police repel militant attack on Bannu checkpoint, five officers injured
- Police say several attackers killed or wounded in overnight assault in northwest Pakistan
- Incident comes amid surge in militant attacks Pakistan blames on Afghanistan-based groups
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani police said on Friday they repelled an overnight militant attack on a checkpoint in the northwestern district of Bannu, injuring five officers in an area that has seen a sharp rise in militant violence in recent years.
The attack took place late at night at the Sheikh Landak check post, located within the limits of Huweid police station in Bannu, a district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghan border. Police said officers responded swiftly, preventing the attackers from overrunning the post.
Militant attacks in Pakistan have surged since 2021, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southwestern Balochistan, with security forces frequently targeted. Islamabad says the violence is largely driven by groups it refers to as Fitna Al-Khawarij, a term Pakistani authorities use for militants they say are linked primarily to the Pakistani Taliban and allied factions operating from across the border in Afghanistan. Pakistan has also accused India of backing militant networks involved in attacks, allegations New Delhi denies.
“Late at night, terrorists of Fitna Al-Khawarij carried out a cowardly attack on Sheikh Landak check post,” police said in a statement, adding that officers “displayed full courage, bravery and a timely response, successfully foiling the attack.”
Police said effective retaliatory fire caused “heavy human and material losses” to the attackers, with reports of several militants killed or wounded.
Five police personnel sustained minor injuries during the exchange and were immediately shifted to hospital for treatment, where they are receiving medical care, the statement said.
Following the attack, additional police units were deployed to the area and a search operation was launched to locate any remaining attackers.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government of failing to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul denies the allegation, saying it does not allow its soil to be used against any country.
The accusations have added to tensions between the two neighbors, who have also seen periodic border clashes over the past year.
