GILGIT, Oct 17: Curfew remained in force in Gilgit city for fifth consecutive day, with authorities not letting any relaxation. The curfew had been imposed on Thursday following clashes between mobs and security forces.

Security in and around the city has been further intensified by deploying troops on the surrounding hills, sources said.

A manhunt and search for weapons continued, with forces surrounding the Hospital Colony on Monday for the purpose.

Some unidentified men made away with piles of vegetables, onions and potatoes stashed outside the Sabzi Mandi as vendors had left them in Thursday’s panic run.

The sources said that educational institutions were unofficially closed until normalcy returned.

The sources added that trade activities resumed at the Sust Dry Port after a three-day break. Angry protesters had torched two vehicles at the post during a procession against the killings.

Officials said that 45 foreign tourists along with hundreds of other stranded people had been evacuated to safe places.

According to a press note issued by the Northern Areas home and information department, “the curfew remained imposed on fifth day in Gilgit city without any relaxation. No untoward incident took place. However, police and law enforcement agencies remained busy in search during nights of 16th and 17th October to hunt down and arrest the culprits and recover illicit weapons”.

The handout said that law enforcement agencies had arrested 33 miscreants from Barmas, Naukui, Majeenimohallah, Dockpura and Sonikote. The situation remained under control.

Unofficial sources said that during the operation, huge cache of arms and ammunitions had been recovered, including rocket launchers and six AK-47 assault rifles, from the possession of suspects in Barmas and Naukui areas.

Meanwhile, five days of curfew have created an acute shortage of food and fuel in Gilgit. Residents said they faced starvation as their food rations were fast depleting.

They said that due to strict curfew rules, shops and fuel depots were closed. If relaxation in curfew was not allowed, it would make matters worse. With the onset of winter, they were in dire need of liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene oil to keep the kitchen fires burning.

Divisional president of Imamia Students Organization, Shahid Raza, said that he had seen dozens of patients – both old and young – hankering for medicine but prolonged curfew had cut off supplies.

Mr Raza said that patients suffering from diabetes and heart ailments were in a fix as they needed urgent treatment in case their condition deteriorated.

Passengers stuck on the outskirts of the city said they were worried about their relatives in the city.

They said they were unable to shift their patients to hospitals in Gilgit as it was almost impossible to put through the help lines of the administration.