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Nine tourists shot at north Pakistan mountain base camp | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Gunmen have killed 10 people, including nine foreign tourists after storming a hotel in far northern Pakistan. | |
Officials say five are from Ukraine, one from Russia and three from China. A Pakistani guide also died in the attack. | Officials say five are from Ukraine, one from Russia and three from China. A Pakistani guide also died in the attack. |
It happened at the base camp of Nanga Parbat, the world's ninth highest mountain, in Gilgit-Baltistan. | It 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. A Sunni militant group, Jundullah, said it was responsible. | It is the first such attack on tourists in the region. A Sunni militant group, Jundullah, said it was responsible. |
Police had at first said 10 foreign tourists had died. The motive for the killings is not yet clear. | Police had at first said 10 foreign tourists had died. The motive for the killings is not yet clear. |
One person, said to be Chinese, has survived the attack. | One person, said to be Chinese, has survived the attack. |
Part of the Himalayan Range, Nanga Parbat, standing at 8,126m (26,660ft), is popular with trekkers and mountaineers, especially during June and July. | Part of the Himalayan Range, Nanga Parbat, standing 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, which borders China, had so far been considered one of the more secure areas under Pakistani control. | |
'Very remote' | 'Very remote' |
The attackers, reportedly dressed in police uniforms, stormed the hotel at the base camp in the foothills of Nanga Parbat shortly after midnight. | The attackers, reportedly dressed in police uniforms, stormed the hotel at the base camp in the foothills of Nanga Parbat shortly after midnight. |
"Unknown people entered a hotel where foreign tourists were staying last night and opened fire," Ali Sher, a senior police officer, told Reuters. | "Unknown people entered a hotel where foreign tourists were staying last night and opened fire," Ali Sher, a senior police officer, told Reuters. |
The gunmen allegedly took the foreigners' money and passports before shooting them. | The gunmen allegedly took the foreigners' money and passports before shooting them. |
A senior official said the area, in Diamer district, had been sealed off and police were hunting for the killers. | A senior official said the area, in Diamer district, had been sealed off and police were hunting for the killers. |
"Since the area is very remote with no roads or transport, their bodies will have to be retrieved by helicopter," he said. | "Since the area is very remote with no roads or transport, their bodies will have to be retrieved by helicopter," he said. |
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. |
Meanwhile Gilgit governor Syed Mehdi Shah is set to hold a meeting with regional law enforcement agencies on Sunday to discuss the security situation in the area, Radio Pakistan reports. | Meanwhile Gilgit governor Syed Mehdi Shah is set to hold a meeting with regional law enforcement agencies on Sunday to discuss the security situation in the area, Radio Pakistan reports. |
"A lot of tourists come to this area in the summer, and our local people work to earn money from these people," he said. | "A lot of tourists come to this area in the summer, and our local people work to earn money from these people," he said. |
"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 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. | |
The area is famous for its natural beauty and the main city of Gilgit is seen as a gateway to the Karakoram and Himalayan mountain ranges. | The area is famous for its natural beauty and the main city of Gilgit is seen as a gateway to the Karakoram and Himalayan mountain ranges. |