PESHAWAR: Unidentified attackers set ablaze 12 schools in the Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan on Thursday night, Diamer Commissioner Abdul Waheed Shah told Arab News.
Officials are surveying the damage, said Shah, who denied reports that explosives were used. A meeting of education, police and district administration officials was held on Friday, during which participants discussed the incident and took decisions on how to heighten school security in the area, he added.
There were no casualties as the schools were closed when they were attacked, Shah said. But Shabir Mir, a resident of Gilgit city, said the incident has caused panic among locals because the area is considered relatively peaceful.
“There has been no major law and order problem since the shootings of foreign tourists in 2013 and the killings of passengers of a bus in 2011. But the recent incident of arson attacks on schools has scared the local people,” he added.
12 schools set ablaze in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district
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![12 schools set ablaze in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district]( "A view of the damage caused to schools in Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan after unknown attackers set them ablaze late Thursday night. (Photo courtesy: social media)")
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![12 schools set ablaze in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district]( "Local police officer Mohammad Bashir says the attacks on schools took place before dawn Friday. (Photo courtesy: social media)")
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![12 schools set ablaze in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district]( "A view of the damage caused to schools in Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan after unknown attackers set them ablaze late Thursday night. (Photo courtesy: social media)")
Updated 03 August 2018
12 schools set ablaze in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district
- The arson attack has caused panic among local residents as the area is generally considered as peaceful
- The schools attacked were mostly girls' schools that were under-construction
