Two Killed in Karakoram Highway Landslide as Rain and Snow Close Babusar Road and Disrupt Khunjerab Traffic

The weather has turned Gilgit-Baltistan’s mountain roads treacherous again. Early on Thursday, a rock came down in a landslide near Pissan, in the Nagar district, and struck a vehicle travelling on the Karakoram Highway. The two young men inside were badly hurt and were taken to a nearby government hospital, where doctors pronounced them dead. Police identified them as Arif Hussain and Kashif Ali, both residents of Gulmat in Nagar.

Highway open, but police urge caution

Rain set off landslides at several points along the Nagar section of the highway on Wednesday and Thursday, the local administration said, though the road itself remains open. A Gilgit-Baltistan police spokesperson advised travellers to call the police helpline, 15, for the latest highway status before setting out. Rain is still falling in Nagar, and officials are not ruling out further slides.

Babusar road shut, stranded tourists rescued

Higher up, the picture is one of snow. Intermittent snowfall continued across the upper areas while lower valleys took rain, and the Babusar Pass road has been closed to all traffic after heavy snow at Babusar Top. Tourists stranded near the top on Wednesday night were brought to safety by Diamer police. At Khunjerab Top, snowfall left the Karakoram Highway slippery and dangerous, disrupting traffic between Pakistan and China through the Khunjerab Pass. Snow was also reported across the upper parts of Astore, Skardu, Ghanche, Shigar, Kharmang, Hunza and Nagar, and many link roads are blocked. Authorities have asked tourists and travellers to avoid unnecessary journeys until conditions ease.