According to the reports on Friday (22 November), at least 42 people were killed, and 20 others injured when gunmen ambushed a convoy of Shiite Muslims in Kurram district, northwest Pakistan, on Thursday (21 November). The convoy, consisting of around 200 vehicles traveling under police escort, was en route from Parachinar to Peshawar. Eyewitness accounts describe a coordinated attack lasting 40 minutes, with gunmen targeting cars from a vehicle and nearby open fields. This is one of Pakistan’s deadliest sectarian attacks in recent years, highlighting the ongoing tensions between Sunni and Shiite communities.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government officials confirmed that the attackers first targeted police personnel before opening fire on the convoy. The region has a history of sectarian violence, with frequent clashes in Kurram, where Shiites form the majority. In July, nearly 50 people were killed in sectarian violence following a land dispute in the area. Shiite leaders criticized authorities for failing to provide adequate security, despite prior warnings about militant threats targeting the community.
National leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly and inhumane act. They vowed to identify and punish the perpetrators, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining peace in the country. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan blamed the government for its failure to protect citizens and called for decisive action to end the recurring cycle of violence.
In response to the attack, shop owners in Parachinar announced a strike as a protest. No group has claimed responsibility for the ambush, but militant organizations like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have a history of targeting Shiite Muslims in the district. The attack has reignited concerns over sectarian tensions and the government’s inability to ensure the safety of vulnerable communities in conflict-prone regions.
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