In a tragic escalation of sectarian violence, gunmen ambushed a convoy of Shiite Muslims in Pakistan’s northwestern Kurram district on Thursday, claiming the lives of 42 individuals. The attack, described as one of the most devastating in recent years, occurred on a highway near the Afghan border, local authorities confirmed.
According to Kurram’s police chief, Saleem Shah, the convoy was intercepted by approximately a dozen armed assailants wielding automatic weapons. Among the victims were six women, and nearly a dozen others sustained injuries, said Wajid Hussain, another local official. The injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals for medical care.
Kurram, a rugged, mountainous region predominantly inhabited by Shiite Muslims, has been a frequent target of extremist violence. The area’s Shiite community has long faced attacks by Sunni militant groups. While no organization has claimed responsibility for this latest atrocity, past assaults in the region have been linked to the Pakistani Taliban and Islamic State affiliates.
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Earlier this year, sectarian clashes in the same region led to the deaths of nearly 100 people when Sunni groups attacked Shiite neighborhoods.
This deadly ambush highlights the surge in violence Pakistan has been grappling with in recent months. Islamist militancy, including activities by the Pakistani Taliban, has intensified, especially in regions bordering Afghanistan. Just days ago, a Taliban suicide bomber killed 12 Pakistani soldiers in a neighboring area when an explosive-laden vehicle was detonated at a military post.
Although Pakistan’s military launched significant offensives against the Taliban beginning in 2014, these militant groups have attempted to regain strength, especially following the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
The government faces mounting pressure to address the escalating violence and ensure the safety of vulnerable communities. Meanwhile, grieving families in Kurram are left to mourn their devastating loss amid fears of further attacks.
