Foreigners killed at Fairy Meadows

100% Shiite?

Ishmaeli, I thought...

Scooter,
I'm in similar situation and with the same trek operator. This is the contents of email I received today:

It is indeed a sad news for us and for the whole world.
Your trek is in the Baltistan region, which is considered the safest region on earth owing to its history of non violence, no killing record, friendship and hospitality.

The region where this incident has taken place is near the notorious Kohistan and Chilas, close to former strong hold of Taliban, Swat and was not considered safe before as well due to the violence and incidents of shooting.

In addition to it, we do put special emphasize on security and safety of our clients, as our clients safety is our top most priority and while traveling to Skardu you will fly up there and fly down to Islamabadr. So you are keeping your self far away from the troubled regions of Diamer or of violent areas.

Right now we have five trekking groups and two sightseeing trips in the Baltistan region and we are confident that they are enjoying their travel there.

In all comments in the media it's been emphasised that the killing of climbers was carried out in response to American drone attacks in northern Pakistan. But, this recent tragic incident proves that target is decided randomly - most of the victims were Ukrainians and Chinese, which is even more tragic if you think of the innocent victims and their families.
I've made my mind up not to go. I just can't go with the geography of attacks and be sure that some places aren't at risk. At this stage imo, it's all too risky.

I must admit that direct threats of more attacks specifically on foreigners is a whole different scenario than potentially just getting caught up in something local (even if a bomb attack on locals etc) and has made me abort things before, when it comes to Yemen. Just as I would be about to 'finally' go to that country, some high profile direct attack on foreign tourists would happen such as a jeep full of explosives being driven into a tourist vehicle. It was always a screaming red flag for me, the 'direct' nature of the attack. However, this meant continually putting things off in the hope that the situation would improve. It never really did, infact deteriorating over the years to the point that I believe (though may be wrong) that it's impossible to even get a tourist visa now (or if you did, you'd be turned away at the airport). In the case of Yemen, putting it off lessened the chance of visiting and in some ways the earlier years of trouble that put me off now seem minor in comparison to what began to happen later. I say this not as any 'advice' on what to do, just sharing how things can go.

Eventually we all have to make our own call, and as much of a risk taker as I can be at times, I don't think I'd be heading to the northern areas right now (certainly so soon after this attack). For some, going soon after an attack would in their eyes mean it is less likely something will happen again so soon, but consider the bomb tactic of one going off then another timed to go off a few hours later when all the emergency personnel, army and police are on site, to carry out even more devastation.

Ive heard that at least till today Foreigners cannot take the KKH. You must fly which can mean lengthy delays in Islamabad. I am waiting to find if this will be lifted. Not much time left. thx for updates....

"Shias are a minority in Pakistan, at about 21 percent of the 180 million population, but are a majority – 75 to 95 percent – of the Gilgit-Baltistan population."

Look at :

April 11, 2012 – Sectarian violence in Gilgit-Baltistan

http://www.ikat.org/cai-communique/communique-archive/

Just to clear you all ,that this incident took place at Gonar Nala, not at Fairy Meadows side /face of Nanga Parbat face. it is the climbers face. There were 41 climbers climbing and unfortuntely out of those 11 were killed by the enemis of humanity..ememis of Islam. Islam do not allow to kill an innocent person, Islam says, killing an innocent person is killing the whole humanity. Prime minister took action and Incharge police and adminstration of Northern areas suspended and search operation is on way. 37 people arrested for introgation at the nearby areas.

I read this on the BBC this morning and it made me feel sick to my stomach. I was at the other side of Nanga Parbat (Rupal face) a couple of years ago and trekked to herligkoffer base camp, I couldn't have felt more safe, I felt the same in Hunza and at Diran base camp. I could never have imagined in my worst nightmares that terrorists would start attacking tourists in Gilgit Baltistan. I'll be back in Pakistan for the third time in December and have never before worried about safety having always felt secure wherever I was in Pak. Now I'm begining to think I may have been viewing Pakistan through rose tinted spectacles.

This is just so sad, those poor people who were enjoying the trip of a lifetime and what they're families must be going through, its just sickening.

We were 6 people visiting all northern Pakistan from Islamabad to Sost in October 2012, then from East to West, and back to Lahore. In total 23 days.
We stayed in Fairy Meadows camp for 3 days and it looked the safest place together with Skardu in Pakistan we have been. We respected the locals, both 2 ladies had the head covered all the time, and they were very, very friendly to us all over the way except SOME valleys at the West side from Gilgit where the people were just patient to see us rather than happy. We were invited to a Gilgit-Baltistan Governor in his house in some valley. Later we understood that we were not welcomed to explore these areas, that is why they insisted to our guides to accept the invitation. But we were very happy to visit him and had a great dinner, having interesting discussions and walk at surrounding area.

Actually, even we were safe all the way, except one incident near Karimabad in some village, I felt some time kind of internal stress and caution. Now I think we were just lucky. All the way from Besham to Chilas and even beyond Raikot bridge, which is the turn-point to Fairy Meadows camp, we were accompanied by military police, and they were very angry if we did not reach next police checkpoint on time, then they sent the car to meet us. So, they seemed taken high care about the foreigners.

I feel so deeply sad about those great personalities who lost their lives in this unlucky camp - as the only bright personalities can love the mountains so much. The Ukrainian guys and also others in these two groups were the Masters of Sport in alpinism, in their best age, educated, brave, open character and healthy life-style men, they visited Pakistan many times before. And, of course, could not imagine, could not consider such a destiny....

Edited by: Odetta77

My plans for Baltore are cancelled, or at least delayed for years. It sounds trivial with this tragedy. What I'd like to highligt is that this evil people are trying not only a witch-hunt with us but also to kill our dreams.

A conspiracy? Perhaps it would be best to think about the poor people and their families, rather than post offensive, delusional conspiracy theories on here.