Foreigners killed at Fairy Meadows

Re - "......This same strategy was used in Egypt with some success until the Egyptian people rose up and stopped it. This will take tour operators, drivers, hotel owners, restaurant operators and guides to rise up and stop the violence by reporting the activities"

True that Egypt suffered, but I would suggest that the two nations are really very different in how big and crucial tourism is. Egypt was losing 'big' time because of how central tourism is there, and how famous as a destination it is and has always been, enough to get people angry enough and united to take a stand in the way you mention.

Plus they had Mubarak's Mukhabarat who had been 'directly' countering and squashing Islamist politics since inheriting the security framework from the British, so even if there were sympathys for militancy it would soon rooted out by that. Pakistan's ISI is arguably far less clear cut about where its interests and loyalty lies, it would seem.

In Pakistan, I'd argue that international tourism is absolutely minor in comparison to Egypt, and generally the locals have far more important things on their mind even though yes I'm sure most are just as horrified by these events.

Motivations for attacks in Egypt during the 90s and later in the 00s were pretty different from say this latest attack, seen as a revenge attack for a loss to them during an ongoing war. In this latest attack in Pakistan, the explanation was that it is a direct revenge attack for the loss of a commander in a drone strike. Events over the border after the invasion have led to bad feeling in parts of Pakistan, enough for suggestions that there are elements of complicity and sympathies going on in some institutions and within the people of some areas, to not sound unreasonable.

This is a tragedy and my thoughts are with the deceased foreign climbers and their pakistani guides, their families and all people of GB and travellers.

Like all of those who travelled in Northern Pakistan (or Pakistan in general) I only have praises for the hospitality of the people there and so this news came as a shock of course. It feels bad to see a region you felt great in and you thought was spared by what was going on in the rest of the country touched by such senseless acts of violence but come on, the potentiality has been there for a while, don't you think it was a matter of time? The TTP are beasts but they are no fools, they know where foreigners go, they know where to go to hurt just like they know how to hurt Pakistanis.

Personally, I never felt safe on the KKH between Besham and, say, Jaglot. Diamir is just there next to Kohistan and Kohistan has always been deemed risky, remember the massacre of travellers last year in a bus. Even in Diamir, take Chilas for example, this town has not a very good reputation in terms of security and extremism. Sectarian clashes aside in Gilgit, the fact that the attackers wore Gilgit Scouts uniforms (if the information is correct) tells something too, doesn't it?
I think the situation up north in Hunza is different. Population is more homogeneous, religiously too, sunni extremism is -I believe - absent, people are peace loving. I have trust in the people living there but no place is 100% safe. If militants dress like Gilgit Scouts (and reports say some of the Nanga Parbat killers spoke Shina) what prevents them from travelling up north? A couple of inefficient Police check-posts?

I love Pakistan, it's my favourite destination but if you consider travelling there let's be realistic and gather as much information as you can to get a balanced view, know where you are going to. Nobody can tell you it is safe, it's your call! I really hope this tragedy will push Pakistan to up the security in GB: for GBians and for travellers, with serious measures. The tourism potential is enormous as are the benefits for the local populations who are some of the friendliest and hospitable people on this planet.

Ben.

The very sad fact is that whoever did this threatens the livelihood of a whole region, most likely his fellow citizens, why should anybody go there now , when such security measures are necessary,
i am since longtime speechless about -whoever it is- people, groups, leaders.... who have nothing else in mind ,than to hassle the normal, ordinary people who just want to make a living and want to be happy to see their kids grow up.
Now again a whole region lost their already meager income for years.
I really feel sorry for the people of northern Pakistan.

It seems that in most countries there is always a slice of the population who are so restless within themselves and so uncomfortable in their own skin, that they become destructive 'grabbers', trampling all over everyone else to reach a goal that they tell themselves will make them finally feel content, whether it be a slice of land with a new flag on it or a resources deal or whatever. Everyone else just getting on with our lives in the way you mention, are deemed collateral damage, things in their way, or more often than not cash cows to fund their misadventures once these people get into positions of power as they so often do to end up being our 'leaders'. It applies just as much to slices of the population in the western world as it does to developing nations. All the people who claim peace will only come when everyone on the globe either subscribes to 'Democracy' or to 'Islam', seem to have no understanding of what true contentment is.

First, The attack was at Bunar Naala Dimir face of Nanga Parbat, not at Fairy Meadows. and no where a hotel, there. So big lie there and distortion of fact.
I think it needs to be kept in perspective, While it is the main base camp for Nanga Parbat climbers with over 50 climbers based there for weeks without any security check and security escort, in close proximity to the notorious banditry, Kohistan area. so it was an easy target for terrorists to plan and carry out such a horrible and horrendous act. But, as a perspective tourist you don't want to know how many, the existance of such an act MUST be taken in using lens from 2000.
90% trekkers base themselves in Karakoram ( mainly Baltistan) including K2 & other high peaks base camp, Snow lake trek, is the safest region. After being in Pakistan twice for more than three months, I would not hesitate to return even after hearing about this incident. Truly I would feel more concerned about going to London than to Skardu & Hunza, don't allow a few brainwashed people deprive you of a wonderful experience. Honestly, this is exactly what they want you to do.
No one here would tell anyone to run headlong into danger but honestly in America you are far more likely to be mugged or caught up in an incident with a disgruntled employee than to be involved in a terrorist attack.
BTW I leave on next Sunday and will be in Northern Pakistan to the end of August--so I am not just running my mouth.

Nepal12345,
Except Nanga Parbat all peaks including Spantik still available to climb.

Having followed this thread and seeing various contradicting comments as to safety - myself, having no knowledge of the topgraphy of the northern Areas, I need to ask locals and more those experienced :

• how do you deem the situation in terms of safety in Skardu - Gilgit area, Gondogoro La and K2 base camp?
• what's you evalutaion of the risk of spreading violence and attacks on tourists in that area?

(As I mentioned earlier in this thread, we (a couple) still have tickets to Islamabad for end July and our plans are halted at the moment)

Spantik can climb, no restriction to ciimb ont it.
Skardu k2 base camp is safest .. k2 base camp baltoro area, at every camp site is army, entry exit point is check by army & police plus no other way to reach there except passing through skardu shigar valleys.. 100 % safe trekking in k2 area..in Baltistan no risk of spreading violence..no histry of violence or attack on tourists..

more climbers and trekkers continu arriving Pakistan
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/islamabad/02-Jul-2013/nanga-parbat-attack-fails-to-deter-slovakians

I am planning to climb Spantik in this July/August.

01) Is it possible I can find any affordable budget agent after I arrived in Islamabad (or in Skardu)? If yes, then where should I go in Islamabad (or in Skardu)? Is there any famous tourist place/town in Islamabad (like 'Thamel' in Kathmandu)?
02) How much should I need to pay to the agent If I do this climbing alone (no other climber)?
03) Is August too late to climb Spantik?

Of course, I am willing to join another group, if possible, in order to save my budget.

Please advise on my 3 questions/concerns above!