GILGIT: The Diamer Police on Monday claimed a major breakthrough in the investigation of the Nanga Parbat massacre by arresting over 20 attackers following a targeted operation.

The Nanga Parbat massacre took place in late June this year when ten people including foreign climbers and a Pakistani cook were gunned down at the base camp.

“We have arrested some 20 men in connection with the killings of locals and foreigners. We reached the hideouts of the terrorists involved in the assassination of security officials, foreign tourists and sectarian killings on Karakoram Highway and Naran-Kaghan road (Lolo Sar) after tremendous efforts,” Superintendent of Police Diamer District Muhammad Navid said.

“These men also carried out sectarian killings during 2012 in Harban Das, Lolo Sar points in which Shia passengers were lined up after identification and shot dead,” he informed.

He added that men were behind the killings of foreign tourists in Diamori Point of Bunar Das and the investigators of Nanga Parbat massacre including a SSP, a colonel and a captain were also traced.

He lauded the joint efforts of Pak Army, law enforcement agencies and police in apprehending the criminals and added: “The intelligence agencies played a pivotal role during the operation.”

“In another two days, we will reveal more details about the terrorists that we have arrested. Due to the sensitivity of the issue, we can’t give out anymore information,” the official said.

He added that the arrested individuals would be tried in Diamer district court and none of them would be sent to any other place.