Chilas bus shooting
{{Short description|2023 terrorist attack in Pakistan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = Chilas bus shooting
| partof =
| map = {{Location map|Gilgit Baltistan#Pakistan
| lat_deg = 35.4194
| lon_deg = 75.5466
| label = Chilas
| border = none
| float = center
| caption =
}}
| image = File:Attacked bus and its number plate.jpeg
| caption = The bus after the attack
| location = Chilas, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
| target = Passenger bus
| date = 2 December 2023
| time = 18:30
| timezone = UTC+5:00
| type = Mass murder, mass shooting
| fatalities = 10
| injuries = 25
| perp =
| motive = Terrorism
}}
{{Terrorist attacks in Pakistan}}
On 2 December 2023, a mass shooting was carried out against a bus in Chilas, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, killing 10 people.
Background
The Convey system{{what|date=December 2023}} had been in place since 2012 when buses moved from Rawalpindi to Islamabad; however, the system was halted 10 days prior to the incident.{{cite news |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/asia/2023/12/04/pakistan-bus-attack-chilas-gilgit-baltistan |title=Pakistan arrests 17 over fatal bus attack in Gilgit-Baltistan |publisher=The National |date=2 December 2023 |access-date=5 December 2023 }}
Shooting
On 2 December 2023, a K2 passenger bus departing from Ghizer to Islamabad came under severe gunfire, killing 10 people and injuring another 25.{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1794548 |title=9 dead, 25 injured in 'terrorist' attack on passenger bus in GB's Chilas |publisher=Dawn.com.pk |date=2 December 2023 |access-date=3 December 2023}} The bus was en route to Rawalpindi when gunmen opened fire in Chilas in Gilgit-Baltistan.{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2448741/10-martyred-in-chilas-bus-attack | title=10 martyred in Chilas bus attack|publisher=Tribune.com.pk |date=2 December 2023 |access-date=3 December 2023}} The driver was killed on the spot, resulting in the bus colliding with an ongoing truck, causing further casualties.{{cite web|url=https://www.samaa.tv/208735588-at-least-9%20killed-several-injured-in-chilas-bus-attack| title=At least 10 killed, several injured in Chilas bus attack|publisher=Samaa.tv |date=2 December 2023 |access-date=3 December 2023}}
Investigation
On 3 December, the Diamer police filed a First Information Report (FIR) and arrested six suspects in connection with the attack. The Police Public Relations Officer confirmed that six suspects have been taken into custody at two police stations so far.{{cite web |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1794730/6-arrested-case-registered-after-bus-comes-under-gun-attack-in-gbs-chilas |title=6 arrested, case registered after bus comes under gun attack in G-B's Chilas |website=Dawn |date=April 5, 2023 |access-date=December 3, 2023}}
Reaction
The Deputy Commissioner of Diamer stated that the passengers affected were from different parts of Pakistan, including two Pakistan Army soldiers and a Police official from the Special Protection Unit (SPU).{{cite web|url=https://pamirtimes.net/2023/12/02/8-killed-26-injured-after-passenger-bus-is-attacked-by-terrorists-on-karakoram-highway/ |title=8 killed, 26 injured, after passenger bus is attacked by terrorists on Karakoram Highway |publisher=Pamir Times |date=2 December 2023 |access-date=3 December 2023}} While some sources suggest that the incident occurred due to unintended gunfire, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.{{cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/2/gunmen-kill-eight-bus-passengers-in-northern-pakistan |title=Gunmen kill eight bus passengers in northern Pakistan |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=2 December 2023 |access-date=3 December 2023 }}
PML-N member Maryam Nawaz strongly condemned the attack, expressing condolences for the affected families and sympathy for the martyred soldiers. She emphasized what she called the “terrorists'” attempts to disrupt Pakistan's economic progress but asserted that such actions would not impede the nation's overall advancement.{{cite web |url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/774956-Maryam-denounces-Chilas-bus-attack |title=Maryam denounces Chilas bus attack |website=Dunya News |date=December 3, 2023 |access-date=December 3, 2023 |archive-date=4 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204064307/https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/774956-Maryam-denounces-Chilas-bus-attack |url-status=live }}
References
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{{coord missing|Pakistan}}
Category:2023 murders in Pakistan
Category:21st century in Gilgit-Baltistan
Category:December 2023 crimes in Asia
Category:December 2023 in Pakistan
Category:Mass shootings in Pakistan
Category:Terrorist incidents in Pakistan in 2023
Category:Terrorist incidents on buses in Pakistan
Category:21st-century mass murder in Pakistan
Category:2023 mass shootings in Asia
Category:Crime in Gilgit-Baltistan