Tourism is a huge sector that needs serious measures. Whenever tourism begins to develop in the country and especially in the northern regions, something happens that changes the plans of tourists.In which the operationalization of Skardu Airport at the international level is a good initiative,the tourists who want to visit these tourist destinations by road for adventure cannot be ignored.
After the murder of Professor Rashid from Punjab on August 20 at Babusar Top in Gilgit-Baltistan, the Diamar Police has arrested two local suspects, while the dead body has been sent to Mailsi after conducting the post-mortem of the deceased professor.
According to Diamar police, the deceased was 34 years old and was employed as a teacher in Skardu.
The significance of the killing is that it occurred during the tourist season, which has caused concern among tourists and comments on social media that it will have a negative impact on tourism.
Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan also took notice of this incident and ordered to arrest the criminals within 48 hours.
Interior Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Rana Muhammad Saleem Afzal visited on Monday during his visit he said that this is the main road through which tourists come to this area during the season and if any such incident happens here, which impact the negative effects on tourisam & administration.
He said that the purpose of my coming here is to see at the scene of the incident that there was no administrative negligence, and that disciplinary action should be taken against the culprits.
He said that at this time all the stakeholders, including the police, GB scouts and district administration are present on the spot.
According to Diamar District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Ayaz, “An FIR has been registered and a search operation has been conducted to find the culprits.”
He said that the arrested persons will be remanded today and the investigation will be started.
On the other hand,Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan took notice of the incident at Babusar and ordered the police, administration and law enforcement agencies to arrest the criminals within 48 hours.
According to DPO Muhammad Ayaz, “After receiving the information from the control room, the police immediately moved and reached the spot.”
He said that ‘despite the fact that this route is controversial and passing through here after dusk, or stopping the vehicle can cause any accident, tourists still become careless and do not obey the police.’
The route from the zero point of Chilas up to Babusar Top is desolate, wild and hilly.There is a zigzag road for several kilometers, there were seven people in the respective vehicle who were getting down to drink tea at a dhaba near ‘Kote Mor’ at around 9:30 pm.
Meanwhile, as some masked men came to attack, the driver tried to reverse the car and run away, but the robbers opened fire on them, in which a professor from Melsi, who was sitting in the front seat, was shot in the neck, hit the tire while the car’s tire burst.’
Diamar Police says that ‘Police are deployed on the mentioned road every day and every evening a convoy of ten vehicles is sent to patrol.’
DPO Mohammad Ayaz was of the opinion that ‘although theft and robberies have been happening for the last ten to twelve years, but the tourists do not listen to the police and since this highway is quite up and down, it is pitch dark, and the mobile signal is also not working,that’s why they are neglected.’
According to Shahabuddin Ghori, a local journalist of Diamer Thack, this is the first case of murder in this area, while there have been many cases of theft and robbery.
He said that the residents of the area are angry with the police, as the culprits have not been arrested in any incident till date.
According to Ahmed Yaqub, a resident of Gilgit-Baltistan, this is the fifth robbery at Babu Sar this month, but now things have progressed and tourists are being killed by firing directly at them. There should be an operation from zero point to Giti Das so that the tourists can stay safe.
According to Secretary Tourism Gilgit-Baltistan Asifullah Khan, “The first thing is that tourists should not travel on this route after five o’clock in the evening. There are standard hotels for accommodation on both sides. Spend the night there and travel in the morning.” Secondly, there are checkpoints on both sides of Babu Sar Top, tourists must check in there. It is for their benefit, but many tourists drive without registration and feel proud of it.
From the statements of the Secretary Tourism and the DPO, it seems that it is impossible to take any steps on this road covering a few kilometers, while after the various incidents happening at the same place, it should be made safe for tourists. Tourists should be advised not to travel on this road in the evening. Not only this road should be made safe but everywhere in Gilgit-Baltistan so that tourists or ministers can travel safely.
