Four tourists from Gujrat district in Punjab have gone missing while traveling from Gilgit to Skardu, prompting concerns from their families and local authorities.
The group, traveling in a white Honda Civic with license plate ANE 805, had arrived in Gilgit and Hunza a few days prior. The missing individuals have been identified as Suleman, Asif Shehzad, Umar Ehsan, and Usman.
Their last contact with family members was on the night of May 15, shortly after departing from Gilgit. According to relatives, their final phone call was made near the Danyor area, during which they informed their families that they were heading toward Skardu.
The group reportedly stayed at Mohsin Lodge and left for Skardu on the morning of May 16. Since then, all communication has ceased, and their mobile phones remain switched off.
Police officials stated that the vehicle did not pass through any security checkpoints along the Gilgit-Skardu route. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gilgit, Zahoor Ahmed, confirmed that the search operation has been widened, with alerts issued to all relevant checkpoints, police stations, and the Special Branch.
Despite these efforts, no trace of the tourists or their car has been found. Notably, the vehicle was not observed at key checkpoints, including the one at Dambudas.
The families of the missing individuals have appealed to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information to contact the nearest police station. One of the fathers has made a direct plea to the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan and other senior officials to personally intervene in the matter.
Authorities have also requested that residents along the route from Danyor to Dambudas remain vigilant and report any unusual sightings or suspicious vehicles.
While the current weather conditions have been favorable, the challenging terrain of Gilgit-Baltistan often poses difficulties for travelers using private vehicles.
In a similar situation last year, the Pakistan Army rescued over 145 travelers who had been stranded by heavy snowfall while traveling from Gultari to Skardu via Deosai. Additionally, in 2024, two Japanese climbers, Kazuya Hirade and Kenro Nakajima, went missing while attempting to summit K2 in Skardu.
