KARACHI: Twelve girls’ schools have been burnt down by unidentified persons in coordinated attacks in Pakistan’s restive Gilgit-Baltistan, triggering protest by local residents who sought safety for educational institutions which are often attacked by the militants, a media report said on Friday.
The schools in Chilas town, about 130-kilometre from Gilgit, were targeted late last night by unidentified men who also damaged school property across Diamer district, police said.
“Explosions were also set off in two schools,” Geo News reported, quoting police officials.
Following the attacks, local residents staged a protest at Siddique Akbar Chowk demanding the arrest of culprits and seeking safety for educational institutes which are often targeted by the militants, it said.
Police have started a search operation in the area to arrest the perpetrators. According to the district administration, the schools were under-construction.
Girls’ schools are often attacked in the northern areas of Pakistan.
In December 2011, at least two girls’ schools were partially damaged in low-intensity explosions in Chilas.
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