KHALU, GILGIT BALTISTAN: Hundreds blocked the Karakoram Highway linking northern Pakistan with the rest of the country in protest on Sunday, accusing law enforcement personnel of killing three innocent persons during an operation in the Diamer district, while an official described those killed as “suspected terrorists.”
Thore Valley in the northern Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) made headlines earlier this month when officials said three cops were killed during an operation against poppy cultivation in the area. The policemen were gunned down after unidentified men opened fire on them, GB government spokesperson had said.
Ghulam Abbas, GB caretaker information minister, said on Sunday that law enforcement personnel had carried out another operation against “terrorists” and poppy cultivation in Thore Valley.
“Today, the law enforcement agencies killed three ‘suspected terrorists,’” Abbas told Arab News during a phone call. “And three security officials were also injured.”
Image showing villagers protesting in Pakistan's northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on May 10, 2026. (AN Photo)
Sajid Ali Baig, the caretaker interior minister for GB, said the valley is home to “some terrorist elements.”
“GB Police, GB Scouts and the Pakistan Army are taking part in the operation,” he said. “And we will leave no stone unturned to clear the region of terrorists and illegal poppy cultivation.”
He said law enforcers had destroyed the homes and sanctuaries of local militant commanders during the operation.
’INNOCENT CITIZENS’
Meanwhile, Thore Valley residents accused law enforcement personnel of killing “innocent citizens.” Hundreds of residents blocked the Karakorum Highway, which connects GB to other parts of the country and Pakistan to China, in protest by placing bodies of the killed there.
“We have blocked the road as the law enforcement agencies killed innocent citizens instead of terrorists,” Umer Ziab, an uncle of one of the three killed in the operation, told Arab News.
“I know all three deceased; they were innocent. They were going from Thore Nala to Chilas city when they were targeted.”
He said protesters had gathered at the site with bodies to question the killings.
“Everyone knows where the terrorists are living,” he said, without elaborating. “Instead of going there, they are targeting innocent citizens.”
Meanwhile, authorities declared an emergency at the Regional Headquarters Hospital (RHQ) in Chilas city.
“We have declared an emergency at the hospital and all staff members are on high alert,” Dr. Mushtaq, deputy medical superintendent at RHQ, said.
Of the three injured, Dr. Mushtaq said only one had been admitted to the hospital with wounds on his body.
“All doctors, including surgeons, are on duty on Sunday,” he said. “There is also a rush of people outside the hospital for blood donation.”
Illegal poppy cultivation in Pakistan’s north has persisted as a complex challenge, driven by economic hardship, limited agricultural alternatives and presence of trafficking networks.
The rugged terrain in these parts often makes it difficult for authorities to access remote areas, allowing small-scale farmers to grow poppy as a high-value cash crop compared to traditional produce.
