Pakistan claims progress in foreign mountaineers attack's probe

Pakistani officials Tuesday claimed " important headway" has been made in the investigation into the killings of foreign mountaineers in the northern areas of the country. Suspected militants, wearing uniform of security forces, stormed the base camp of Nanga Parbat in Diamir District of Gilgit- Baltistan late Saturday and killed the foreign tourists and their one guide. Officials said the slain foreigners included one American with dual Chinese citizenship, three Ukrainians, two from Slovakia, two Chinese, one from Lithuania and one from Nepal. The authorities had detained nearly 40 people in connection with the incident, however, no one has formally been charged. Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah said there has been some progress in the investigation into the tragic incident. Shah said in a statement that the names of the culprits will be given to media in two days, state radio reported. The chief minister said the detained people are being probed regarding the attack. Shah said the help of Peace Jirga or council is also being sought to arrest the culprits. He said full security is being provided to the tourists in the area. He said the tourists are allowed to move anywhere in the area except for Nanga Parbat. Local media has also reported that a case has also registered against unidentified men. A search operation is underway in Diamer, while the area surrounding the base camp has been sealed. The federal government had suspended the chief secretary and inspector general of police in Gilgit-Baltistan, and constituted a joint investigation team (JIT) to probe the tragedy. Two outlawed groups -- Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and Jundullah, had claimed responsibility for the brutal attack, which shook the whole country. The Taliban spokesman, Ehsanullah Ehsan, had told the media that the attack was protest against the American drone strikes and to take revenge of the killing of their deputy chief, Wali-ur- Rehman Mehsud last month.