Shutter Down in Gilgit After Assassination Attempt on Maulana Qazi Nisar Ahmed
Gilgit-Baltistan plunged into tension after an assassination attempt on Maulana Qazi Nisar Ahmed triggered a citywide shutdown. Gunmen opened fire near the police headquarters, wounding five including the cleric’s driver and security guards.
Following this, a second attack targeted Chief Court Judge Malik Inayat ur Rehman’s vehicle near City Hospital. The judge escaped unharmed though his car sustained bullet damage.
Attack Details & Casualties
In the first attack, attackers fired shots that struck Maulana Qazi Nisar Ahmed, his driver, and two of his guards. A fifth person was also injured.
All injured are in stable condition and receiving treatment.
In the second incident, Judge Inayat’s vehicle caught multiple bullets. He was not inside when the attack began.
Citywide Shutdown & Public Reaction
In the wake of the attacks, businesses, educational institutions, and shops in Gilgit closed early. The shutdown signaled widespread fear and protest.
Protesters blocked roads in several districts, demanding immediate arrest of the attackers. Intercity traffic between Gilgit and Islamabad also halted under security protocols.
Social media users expressed outrage. Many called for protection of religious leaders and harsher security in GB.
Government & Official Responses
Gilgit-Baltistan Interior Minister Shams Lone condemned the attacks and vowed that no one would be allowed to disrupt peace. He promised action against the perpetrators.
Government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq called the assault a “cowardly attempt to drag the region into chaos.” He emphasized commitment to unity and order.
Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan and Governor Syed Mehdi Shah also condemned the attacks. They called them a conspiracy to destabilise Gilgit-Baltistan.
Security forces reportedly seized two abandoned vehicles left by the attackers. Investigations are underway to trace and arrest those responsible.
Why This Attack Matters
Gilgit-Baltistan has experienced sectarian tension and political sensitivity in recent years. An attack on a prominent cleric signals potential escalation of such tensions.
Maulana Qazi Nisar Ahmed leads the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat in the region. His clerical influence and political voice make him a sensitive target.
Targeting a judge in the second strike also raises fears of assault on civil institutions and law enforcement credibility.
Security Challenges & Risks
The dual attacks show gaps in security for high-profile figures. The proximity to police headquarters and medical center highlights vulnerabilities in urban zones.
In Gilgit’s rugged terrain and scattered settlements, enforcing rapid response is harder. Attackers may exploit local knowledge and escape routes.
If similar attacks continue, public confidence in safety and governance may erode, especially in a region already sensitive to sectarian divides.
What Comes Next & What to Watch
- Authorities will intensify manhunts, intelligence operations, and street patrols across Gilgit and surrounding areas.
- Forensic analysis of the abandoned vehicles and bullet casings will yield clues.
- Judicial and clerical protection protocols may see revision and reinforcement.
- Public security may extend via checkpoints, curfews, or temporary martial law in critical zones.
- Political and religious stakeholders may issue statements seeking peace and urging communities not to inflame tensions.
