Gilgit Baltistan, Aug 11: Annexed from the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan has been controlled by Pakistan for decades now. Since the setting up of the de facto provincial government in Gilgit Baltistan in 2009, Islamabad's exploitation of the region has gained momentum. The strategically located region suffers from sectarian violence, militancy and poverty. In recent years, there has been a sudden rise in incidents of sectarian violence between Shias, Sunnis and other communities including Ismaili and Nurbakshi. The nationalist leaders blame Pakistan's spy agency, the ISI, for enforcing 'divide and rule' policy in the region.