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Tragic, what responsibilty do we have and does it change depending on the vehicle Tragic, what responsibilty do we have and does it change depending on the vehicle
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West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



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  #1  
Old 26 Jan 2014
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................''The fact that being a foreigner does increase the risk is increase the risk, if we don't travel the soldiers would be in there barracks''..................

I am sorry, but this is not true, ALL vehicles travelling through Balouchistan from Quetta to ISLBD recieve security escort regardless of nationality including local buses etc. if you had been there, you would know this ! The soldiers would not have been in their barracks, they would have been escorting someone else and to suggest that being a foreigner on a bycicle puts you more at risk is nonesense ! The overwhelming majority of these attacks have been sectarian in nature with Sunnis targeting Shias and vice versa and after the recent massacres of bus convoys and their armed escorts in Kohistan, who is to say that putting his bike on a bus would have made him any safer ?
It may sound simplistic, but the fact is, that Pakistan is a dangerous place and this guy just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and if it wasn't him it would probably have been someone else !
UB.
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Old 26 Jan 2014
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This incident was just so sad. A lot of travelers are changing their route, probably wise in the near future. I'm not sure if the cyclist was the target or the actual militia guys but any which way it sucks. As others have said Pakistan is a beautiful and hospitable country, it was one if our absolute favorites. When we came from the north down the KKH we had many police escorts and checkpoints but our attitude was patience & that they were doing their best to keep us safe and minimize risk. When they told us Babusar pass was too dangerous at the time, we turned around. It was a time of protesting flare up so things were edgy. Friends coming from Taftan were made to put their motorcycles on a train much of the way.

I feel like there is a strange dynamic. Most of the people in the country want visitors but there are the crazy ones who do crazy stuff - like many other places but amplified - in that part of the world. But if we stop traveling, sharing our experiences and don't expose ourselves, things just get more closed. I was so grateful to connect with the Pakistan bikers, I think making these connections are so important.

I hope things do calm down, people keep going, and they stay safe.
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Old 27 Jan 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uselessbaba View Post
................''The fact that being a foreigner does increase the risk is increase the risk, if we don't travel the soldiers would be in there barracks''..................

............I am sorry, but this is not true, ALL vehicles travelling through Balouchistan from Quetta to ISLBD recieve security escort regardless of nationality including local buses etc. if you had been there, you would know this ! The soldiers would not have been in their barracks, they would have been escorting someone else and to suggest that being a foreigner on a bycicle puts you more at risk is nonesense .......

I have been there and my point is just this, if the guards have ten escort's that week and 2 of them only contain foreigners which they often do that's two times they could have been in the barracks. We on holiday not earning a living its not essential we go, its a luxury!

It is also well known that they are professional kidnappers, opportunists and political attacks. I personally know one person who was part of a two car convey that unfortunately ran into the wrong people at the wrong time! No evidence of planning.

Whether you feel the cycling makes you a easier target or not, if the guards feel at greater risk and request you place it in a truck I think its only courteous to do so. In regards to wanting an escort whether you like it or not its part of the deal!

I don't want this to degrade into I know better or more than you post, it was just to raise the discussion and awareness. Safe travelling and enjoy where ever you may be. This is in no way intended as an attack on the cyclist involved in recent the tragic incident or any other.
Last edited by Grant Johnson; 8 Feb 2014 at 21:21. Reason: DONT KNOW HOW TO QUOTE - Grant says: make sure there is [QUOTE] at the begining and [/QUOTE] at the end. Click quote button!
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