GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtun khwa governments have decided to close the Babusar Top to vehicular traffic from 6pm to 8am from Wednesday in the wake of the ongoing military operation ‘Zerb-i-Azab’ in North Wazirstan Agency.

According a handout issued by the GB home department, after consultation with the KP government it has been decided to close the Bata Kundi section of the Babusar Top from 6pm to 8am daily to avoid any untoward incident in view of the security situation arising out of the military offensive in North Waziristan.

It is to mention here that the Babusar Top was reopened a few days ago after remaining closed for six winter months.

Meanwhile, the GB government also enhanced security measures at the entry points to GB at Karakoram Highway and Chitral road in Ghizar to thwart inflation of anti-state elements into the region. Checkposts have been erected at Babusar-Kaghan road in the Diamer district.

According to a press release issued here, GB Inspector General of Police Mohammad Saleem Bhatti said that strict security measures had been taken for protection of foreign tourists in the region.

Presiding over a high-level meeting in central police office here on other day, the IGP said that additional police and Rangers personnel had been deployed at Karakoram Highway, tourist spots and other sensitive areas.

All the people and vehicles entering the region are being searched by security personnel in order to prevent entry of any suspected person into GB.

PEOPLE BEAT OFFICIAL: Skardu deputy commissioner was injured when he tried to stop people from constructing a mosque on a disputed land in Chormic village.

A police official told Dawn that DC Raja Fazal Khalique was visiting the village, but when he asked the people not to build mosque till a court decision, but the villagers refused to stop work and misbehaved with the official and beat him up, breaking his teeth.

The official said no policeman was with the DC when the incident occurred, adding that though SHO Skardu city police station Hassan Mir along with policemen reached the spot, the people had already gone away.

He said that police registered case against seven people and arrested five of them.

Meanwhile, villagers told journalists that they were the real owners of the land, which had been under their control for decades.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2014