shia-killings-afp-670
A man comforts a mourner, following the killing of Shia Muslims, at a hospital in the northwestern district of Mansehra, Aug 16, 2012. — Photo by AFP

MANSEHRA, Aug 17: A joint investigation team of different law-enforcement agencies has begun investigation into Babusar Top sectarian killings.

The team is headed by SSP (investigation) Ilyas Khan, according to district police officer Sher Akbar.

Mr Akbar told reporters here that an FIR of the killings had been registered at Kaghan police station against unidentified attackers, while search for them was underway. Over the last six months, sectarian violence claimed 39 lives in Mansehra.

Meanwhile, police were on alert in the district on Jumatul Wida, last Friday of Ramazan, over terror attacks after Babusar Top killings. Policemen were deployed in large numbers outside mosques and imambargahs in Mansehra, Balakot and Oghi tehsils.

Also in the day, the Northern Areas Transport Company suspended its service between Rawalpindi and Gilgit-Baltistan until further orders.

“We are monitoring the situation after Babusar Top terrorist attack. As the situation returns to normal, our service will be restored,” said a representative of the company.

Traffic on Naran-Jalkhad Road remained suspended for most part of the day.

Opinion

Editorial

Closed doors
Updated 08 Jan, 2025

Closed doors

The nation’s fate has been decided through secret deals for too long, with the result that the citizenry has become increasingly alienated from the state.
Debt burden
08 Jan, 2025

Debt burden

THE federal government’s total debt stock soared by above 11pc year-over-year to Rs70.4tr at the end of November,...
GB power crisis
08 Jan, 2025

GB power crisis

MASS protests are not a novelty in Pakistan, and when the state refuses to listen through the available channels —...
Fragile peace
Updated 07 Jan, 2025

Fragile peace

Those who have lost loved ones, as well as those whose property has been destroyed in the clashes, must get justice.
Captive power cut
07 Jan, 2025

Captive power cut

THE IMF’s refusal to relax its demand for discontinuation of massively subsidised gas supplies to mostly...
National embarrassment
Updated 07 Jan, 2025

National embarrassment

The global eradication of polio is within reach and Pakistan has no excuse to remain an outlier.