Ismaili massacre

The Ismaili massacre refers to the brutal killing of thousands of Ismaili Muslims, a Shia Muslim sect, by the Pakistani military and paramilitary forces in the Hunza-Nagar region of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, in 1988.

The massacre occurred during the Soviet-Afghan War, when the Pakistani military was supporting the mujahideen rebels fighting against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. The Ismaili community, who were predominantly Shia Muslims, were seen as being sympathetic to the Soviet Union and were targeted by the Pakistani military and paramilitary forces.

On July 4, 1988, a group of Ismaili villagers in the Hunza-Nagar region were rounded up by the Pakistani military and paramilitary forces, including the Frontier Corps and the SSG commandos. The villagers were taken to a remote location and brutally killed, with many being shot, beaten, or thrown off cliffs.

The exact number of deaths is still unknown, but estimates range from 1,000 to 4,000 people. The massacre was carried out with extreme brutality, with many victims being tortured and mutilated before being killed.

The Ismaili massacre was widely condemned by human rights organizations and the international community, with many calling for an investigation into the atrocities. However, the Pakistani government denied any involvement in the massacre, and no one was ever held accountable for the killings.

The massacre had a profound impact on the Ismaili community, leading to widespread fear and mistrust of the Pakistani government and military. Many Ismailis were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in other parts of Pakistan or abroad.

In recent years, there have been efforts to acknowledge and commemorate the massacre, including the establishment of a memorial in Hunza-Nagar and the publication of books and documentaries about the event. However, the Ismaili massacre remains a painful and traumatic event in the history of the Ismaili community, and its legacy continues to be felt to this day.