At least 39 people, including seven women and a nine-year-old girl, were killed and 28 others were injured when a passenger convoy was ambushed in Kurram on Thursday. The attack, which occurred in the Mandori Charkhel area, is feared to be a retaliation for an earlier assault on October 12 that left 15 people dead.
The convoy, comprised of about 200 vehicles, was headed from Parachinar to Peshawar. The attack occurred around 1:20 pm, and it was confirmed that the two different convoys of Shia passengers were attacked, said Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsood. He stated that fire came from both sides of the road and that 10 attackers were involved.
The incident is the latest episode in a long history of sectarian tensions and land disputes in the region. “The scenario of violence spreading is worrisome, especially with the rise of TTP activity in Lower Kurram,” said a local official on condition of anonymity. With that said, government officials blamed the attack on the unresolved land dispute rather than sectarian motives.
One survivor, Ajmeer Hussain, recalled the distressing scene, where, he said he thought that the end of his life was about to come when the firing began: “I started reciting my prayers, thinking these were my final moments,” AFP quoted Hussain. “I laid down at the feet of the two passengers sitting next to me. Both of them were struck by multiple bullets and died instantly.”
The attack has stretched further an already volatile situation in the region where protracted tensions among different sectarian groups have frequently resulted in outbursts of violence. The Kurram district, which neighbors Afghanistan, has been a hotbed of sectarian violence that has often been fueled by disputes over land ownership and tribal rivalries.
Political and religious leaders condemned the event in response to the attack. Both the Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief Minister, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur reacted with outrage. Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) announced nationwide protests against the event. The MWM criticized the government over the protection of civilians and urged them to take immediate steps to secure the region.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Gandapur has directed the revival of a jirga to simmer down the area and set up better security arrangements. The chief minister further directed the formation of highway police at the provincial level to look after the protected routes that have become perilous these last months.
The violence has shaken the nation, with leaders from various political and religious groups calling for stronger government action to protect innocent lives and prevent sectarian violence. The incident has underlined the necessity of an integrated security strategy to address the root causes of violence in the region and further attacks.
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