5 killed as terrorists fire on bus on Karakoram Highway

The 50th anniversary of the first summit of K2 is being celebrated in Skardu (the K2 staging point) during the second week in July. Hundreds of tourists and climbers have been arriving in Skardu to participate in the celebration but heavy rains and a lack of flights have diverted many foreign climbers and trekkers to the Karakoram Highway as an alternate route from Islamabad, Paksitan to Skardu

Rumors have been circulating in the area that a government round up of terrorists in Karachi had caused some terrorists to take refuge in the tribal areas of Indus-Kohistan though the identity of the attackers remains unknown.

The Mashabrum Tours passenger bus left Rawalpindi with 27 passengers on board on the afternoon of July 3rd headed for Skardu. When the bus approached Dassu at 1:05 am on July 4th the driver saw that the highway was blocked with stones. Three assailants stepped in front of the bus and opened fire with sub-machine-guns. The driver was able to force the bus through the blockade as the attackers continued to fire.

Security along the highway has been increased and the attack is under investigation but no arrests have been made. 

Source: Pakistan Times and EverestNews.com contacts in Pakistan

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