In one of the deadliest attacks in recent years, heavily armed militants ambushed a convoy in Pakistan’s restive northwest on Thursday, killing around 50 people, mostly from the minority Shia community, and injuring 20 others. The attack occurred in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, near the Afghan border, a region plagued by sectarian violence and militant activity.
The convoy, carrying nearly 50 vehicles according to police, was en route from Parachinar to Peshawar when gunmen opened fire. While earlier reports suggested 200 vehicles, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has not provided further clarification. Rescue authorities confirmed that the casualties included eight women and five children, with most victims belonging to the Shia community.
Javed Ullah Mehsud, deputy commissioner of Kurram, confirmed the death toll at 45, while other reports indicated the number might rise. No group has claimed responsibility, but the attack occurred in an area dominated by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), known for its militant activities.
Pakistani leaders strongly condemned the attack. President Asif Ali Zardari termed it a “cowardly and inhumane act” and demanded justice for the victims. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed similar sentiments, calling the attack a brutal assault on innocent citizens. He assured that medical aid would be provided to the injured and directed authorities to identify and punish the perpetrators.
“This cowardly act of brutality will not break the resolve of the brave Pakistani nation,” Prime Minister Sharif stated. He vowed that all efforts would be made to thwart attempts by anti-national elements to destabilize the country.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur strongly condemned the attack and directed a delegation comprising the provincial law minister, lawmakers from the region, and the chief secretary to immediately visit Kurram to assess the situation and submit a report.
He also instructed relevant authorities to work on establishing a Provincial Highways Police unit to secure all roads in the province.
Gandapur extended condolences to the bereaved families and announced financial assistance for the families of the victims.
“Targeting innocent civilians is extremely tragic and condemnable. Those involved in this incident will not escape the grip of the law,” he said.
In September, more than 50 people were killed and 120 others injured in clashes spread over eight days between Shia and Sunni tribes over a piece of land in Kurram district.
The intensity of the fighting had led to the closure of the Parachinar-Peshawar main road and the Pak-Afghan Kharlachi border, disrupting transportation and movement. The road blockade has caused a shortage of essential items, including food, fuel, and medicines, worsening the situation for residents.
The fighting had spread to areas such as Balishkhel, Sadda, Khar Kallay, Peewar and Maqbal in the district, which borders Afghanistan’s Khost, Paktia, Logar and Nangarhar provinces, which are considered strongholds of the ISIS and the Pakistan Taliban.
Similar clashes in the same region in July left dozens of people dead and more than 225 injured.
(With inputs from PTI)