Islamabad: Two men were killed on Thursday after a landslide struck their vehicle on the Karakoram Highway, as rain and snowfall disrupted transport across Gilgit Baltistan and blocked roads connecting several areas.
Police identified the deceased as Arif Hussain and Kashif Ali, residents of Gulmat in Nagar district. According to police, the two men were travelling along the Karakoram Highway early on Thursday when a rock fell onto their vehicle near Pissan, an area prone to landslides.
Both sustained injuries and were taken to a government hospital, where doctors pronounced them dead. The administration reported landslides at several locations in Nagar district following rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday.
A Gilgit Baltistan police spokesperson said rainfall was continuing in Nagar, causing landslides along sections of the Karakoram Highway. However, the highway remained open to traffic. Police advised travellers to contact the emergency helpline, 15, for information about road conditions before starting their journeys.
Meanwhile, snowfall was reported in the upper areas of Gilgit Baltistan, while lower regions experienced rainfall. Authorities temporarily closed the Babusar Pass road to all traffic following snowfall at Babusar Top.
Police urged tourists and travellers to avoid unnecessary journeys and use alternative routes. Several tourists travelling towards Gilgit Baltistan through Babusar Pass became stranded near Babusar Top on Wednesday night.
According to the police spokesperson, Diamer police personnel conducted a rescue operation and moved the stranded travellers to safety. Tourist Police also warned that snowfall at Khunjerab Top had made travel along the Karakoram Highway hazardous.
Traffic between Pakistan and China through Khunjerab Pass was disrupted because of slippery road conditions. Snowfall continued in the upper areas of Astore, Skardu, Ghanche, Shigar, Kharmang, Hunza and Nagar districts, affecting residents and transport services.
Several connecting roads remained blocked, restricting access to communities in the affected areas. Authorities advised residents and travellers to check road conditions and follow police instructions as rain and snowfall continued across the region.
