GILGIT: The blast, which left three dead and nine injured in a van in Gilgit – Baltistan [G-B], wasn’t act of terrorism, confirmed senior police and administration officials on Friday.
HunzaNews,(Khalid Hussain) Oct 03,2014
The official clarification helped quell the rumours that caused panic in the region.
On Thursday at least three people were killed and nine others injured as explosive went off inside a van in the outskirts of Gilgit. The vehicle was heading towards Haramosh valley when the incident occurred near Alam Bridge, about 45 kilometers from Gilgit.
Speaking to media in a pre-dawn press conference in Gilgit deputy commissioner Ajmal Bhatti and senior superintendent police Ali Zia said the investigations revealed the explosion was caused by detonators used in mining and construction purposes in the hilly areas.
“A passenger might have left the detonators at a place that was near the engine which ultimately heated up and went off,” said Zia during the briefing held at about 2.30am in his office.
“Another proof of it is that at least 450 detonators rods in two bags have been recovered from the van,” said deputy commissioner Ajmal Bhatti.
In the middle of the road, the blast has caused a 2.5 ft deep and wide gorge, said Bhatti, dispelling the impression that road side bomb had hit the car.
Use of explosive is common and legal in G-B. It is used for blasting of rocks and boulders that are used in construction of houses and water channels.
The incident occurred days after interior ministry warned G-B government of possible terrorist acts on the Karakoram Highway before the Eid.
