The death toll from two deadly attacks in Pakistan’s northwest Kurram district has risen to 43, including seven women and three children, according to officials on Friday.
The region, known for recurring sectarian violence, is now under curfew, with mobile networks suspended as authorities work to stabilize the tense situation.
According to the AFP, on Thursday, gunmen ambushed two convoys of Shiite Muslims traveling under police protection in the mountainous district near the Afghanistan border.
A senior official, Javed Ullah Mehsud, confirmed the fatalities and reported 16 others injured, 11 of whom are in critical condition.
The attacks come amidst renewed clashes between Sunni and Shiite tribes in the area, which was once semi-autonomous. Local authorities described the atmosphere in Parachinar, the district’s main town, as “extremely tense,” with residents staging protests.
“The main road connecting Upper and Lower Kurram is under curfew, and all markets and traffic have been suspended,” an administration official, speaking anonymously, stated.
In response to the unrest, a tribal council, or jirga, has been convened to mediate and restore calm. Similar efforts had previously halted violence in the district following deadly clashes in July and September.
Human rights organizations and government officials have condemned the attacks, with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan issuing a statement criticizing federal and provincial authorities for failing to protect citizens.
“The frequency of these incidents underscores the government’s inability to safeguard lives. Immediate and decisive actions are required to end this cycle of violence,” the HRCP said.
Kurram district, situated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has a history of sectarian tensions, particularly targeting the Shiite community in Sunni-majority Pakistan. The recent attacks highlight the ongoing security challenges faced by the region.
