According to police, the clash between the two groups began when the top Shia leader of Gilgit-Baltistan, Agha Rahat Hussain Al-Hussaini, was hoisting the Alam (flag) of Hazrat Imam Hussain at Khomar Chowk at the start of Muharram, reports Dawn News.

The two deceased people belonged to the Shia community.

They were identified as Syed Iqrar Hussain, 25, a resident of Nagaral of Gilgit district; and Mohammad Ali, 15, from Hoper valley of Nagar, the newspaper reported.

The firing incident also left 17 people injured.

The injured people were rushed to  provincial headquarters hospital and Gilgit City hospital for treatment.

Home Secretary Iqbal Hussain Khan told Dawn News that 44 suspects allegedly involved in the incident had been arrested and the arrest of more elements would be carried out on intelligence-based information.

He said that Section 144 had been imposed in the area for the next two weeks.