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Tourists killed at north Pakistan mountain camp | Tourists killed at north Pakistan mountain camp |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Gunmen have killed 10 people, including at least nine foreign tourists, after storming a hotel in northern Pakistan. | |
The nationalities of the victims have not been fully confirmed, although they include a number of Ukrainians and Chinese. One Pakistani also died. | The nationalities of the victims have not been fully confirmed, although they include a number of Ukrainians and Chinese. One Pakistani also died. |
The assault happened at the base camp of Nanga Parbat, the world's ninth highest mountain, in Gilgit-Baltistan. | The assault happened at the base camp of Nanga Parbat, the world's ninth highest mountain, in Gilgit-Baltistan. |
It is the first such attack on tourists in the region. The Pakistani Taliban has told the BBC it was responsible. | It is the first such attack on tourists in the region. The Pakistani Taliban has told the BBC it was responsible. |
A spokesman for Tehrik-e-Taliban said the attack was in retaliation for the killing of its second-in-command, Waliur Rehman, who died in a suspected US drone strike in May. | A spokesman for Tehrik-e-Taliban said the attack was in retaliation for the killing of its second-in-command, Waliur Rehman, who died in a suspected US drone strike in May. |
The group said it would continue to target foreigners. | The group said it would continue to target foreigners. |
An adviser to the Gilgit-Baltistan government told the BBC that helicopters had been sent to evacuate the remaining climbers in the region - believed to number between 20 and 25. | An adviser to the Gilgit-Baltistan government told the BBC that helicopters had been sent to evacuate the remaining climbers in the region - believed to number between 20 and 25. |
Part of the Himalayan Range, Nanga Parbat, which stands at 8,126m (26,660ft), is popular with trekkers and mountaineers, especially during June and July. | Part of the Himalayan Range, Nanga Parbat, which stands at 8,126m (26,660ft), is popular with trekkers and mountaineers, especially during June and July. |
The assault is seen as a significant blow for Pakistan's already struggling tourist industry, the BBC's Shahzeb Jillani reports from Islamabad. | The assault is seen as a significant blow for Pakistan's already struggling tourist industry, the BBC's Shahzeb Jillani reports from Islamabad. |
Gilgit-Baltistan forms part of the larger disputed Kashmir region, which has been the subject of conflict between India and Pakistan since both countries declared independence in 1947. | Gilgit-Baltistan forms part of the larger disputed Kashmir region, which has been the subject of conflict between India and Pakistan since both countries declared independence in 1947. |
In recent years, the region has suffered a spate of attacks by militants targeting Pakistan's Shia Muslim minority. | In recent years, the region has suffered a spate of attacks by militants targeting Pakistan's Shia Muslim minority. |
'Inhumanity' | 'Inhumanity' |
The number and nationalities of the victims have not been made fully clear. | The number and nationalities of the victims have not been made fully clear. |
Two Chinese, one Chinese-American, one Nepali and a Pakistani have been confirmed dead by local and interior ministry officials. | Two Chinese, one Chinese-American, one Nepali and a Pakistani have been confirmed dead by local and interior ministry officials. |
Five bodies remain to be identified, most are believed to be of Ukrainian tourists. | |
A Chinese tourist is known to have survived the assault. | A Chinese tourist is known to have survived the assault. |
The trekkers had planned to climb Nanga Parbat in the coming days, a local tour operator said. | The trekkers had planned to climb Nanga Parbat in the coming days, a local tour operator said. |
Up to 20 attackers, reportedly dressed in local paramilitary uniforms, stormed the hotel at the base camp in the foothills of Nanga Parbat at about 22:45 local time on Saturday (17:45 GMT). | Up to 20 attackers, reportedly dressed in local paramilitary uniforms, stormed the hotel at the base camp in the foothills of Nanga Parbat at about 22:45 local time on Saturday (17:45 GMT). |
The gunmen separated and tied up the local Pakistani staff and told them not to attempt to raise the alarm until morning, a local official said. | The gunmen separated and tied up the local Pakistani staff and told them not to attempt to raise the alarm until morning, a local official said. |
The gunmen then shot the foreigners, taking their money and passports. | The gunmen then shot the foreigners, taking their money and passports. |
The attackers left at about 01:00 on Sunday local time. | The attackers left at about 01:00 on Sunday local time. |
One person managed to get free and raise the alarm but the attackers had about six hours to make their escape. | One person managed to get free and raise the alarm but the attackers had about six hours to make their escape. |
The deputy commissioner of Diamir district told the BBC a manhunt was under way involving both police and military, on the ground and in the air. | The deputy commissioner of Diamir district told the BBC a manhunt was under way involving both police and military, on the ground and in the air. |
Officials say given the terrain it would be easy to spot human movement from the air, but no arrests have yet been made. | Officials say given the terrain it would be easy to spot human movement from the air, but no arrests have yet been made. |
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have condemned the attack. | President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have condemned the attack. |
Mr Sharif, who was re-elected earlier this month, said "such acts of cruelty and inhumanity" would not be tolerated. | Mr Sharif, who was re-elected earlier this month, said "such acts of cruelty and inhumanity" would not be tolerated. |
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said Gilgit-Baltistan's police chief and another senior official had been suspended. | Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said Gilgit-Baltistan's police chief and another senior official had been suspended. |
Gilgit governor Syed Mehdi Shah said: "A lot of tourists come to this area in the summer, and our local people work to earn money from these people. | Gilgit governor Syed Mehdi Shah said: "A lot of tourists come to this area in the summer, and our local people work to earn money from these people. |
"This will not only affect our area, but will adversely affect all of Pakistan." | "This will not only affect our area, but will adversely affect all of Pakistan." |
Gilgit-Baltistan is famous for its natural beauty and the main city of Gilgit is seen as a gateway to the Karakoram and Himalayan mountain ranges. | Gilgit-Baltistan is famous for its natural beauty and the main city of Gilgit is seen as a gateway to the Karakoram and Himalayan mountain ranges. |