Foreign tourists killed in Diamer attack identified: minister

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said four foreign tourists killed in terrorist attack have been identified through their passports and six are still unidentified.

Talking to newsmen at Noor Khan Airbase on Sunday afternoon‚ he said those who identified include two Chinese nationals‚ one Nepalese and one American national of Chinese origin.

He said six others may be of Ukrainians.

Ch. Nisar said Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan has expressed the desire that relatives of Chinese nationals killed in the incident want to come to Pakistan to bodies to their country. He said Ukrainian Ambassador also expressed the same desire.

The Interior Minister said arrangements to bring their relatives to Pakistan and dispatching of bodies to their respective countries will be made by the Government of Pakistan. He said a senior Minister will also accompany them as a mark of respect.

He said on the directive of the Prime Minister‚ heirs of the victims will be provided every possible cooperation.

He described it a big tragedy. He said terrorists want to give a message through this heinous act that Pakistan is not safe for tourism.

The Interior Minister appreciated efforts of Army jawans who retrieved the bodies using special helicopters.

He strongly condemned the terrorist incident.

The Minister said a joint investigation team would investigate the matter to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.

He said that the Prime Minister has passed special instructions to facilitate the transportation of the dead bodies to their native countries and that a Minister would accompany the dead bodies to their destinations.

Giving a statement in the National Assembly on the incident‚ Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan said the Chief Secretary and Inspector General Police of Gilgit-Baltistan have been suspended for their failure in providing security to the tourists.

He said one Chinese tourist was rescued safely.He said the terrorists were wearing uniform of Gilgit Scouts uniform.

The Interior Minister said the military security agencies quickly responded to the incident and they are also cooperating with the civil armed forces in tracing the culprits.

Chaudhry Nisar said according to initial reports‚ some clue to the terrorists has been found.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Jun 23 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.