More than 50 people butchered in one of Pakistan’s worst sectarian attacks

Over 80 people were also injured when a convoy of vehicles carrying Shiite Muslims and travelling from Parachinar to Peshawar was targeted in Kurrum, an area with a history of sectarian violence.

At least 44 individuals were killed when militants opened fire on a convoy carrying Shiite Muslims in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of northwest Pakistan on Thursday, November 21, 2024, marking one of the deadliest sectarian attacks in the country in recent years.

The attack took place in Kurrum district, a region with a history of sectarian violence between Sunni and Shia communities. The convoy, which was travelling from Parachinar to Peshawar, was ambushed despite prior warnings of potential threats to Shia Muslims in the area.

Over 80 people were also reported to be injured in the attack.

An eyewitness, Mir Hussain, 35, told the Associated Press that he saw four gunmen emerge from a vehicle and open fire on the buses and cars. “I think other people were also firing at the convoy from nearby open fields,” he said. “The firing continued for about 40 minutes,” Hussain added that he hid until the attackers fled. “I heard cries from women, and people were shouting for help,” he said.

A spokesperson for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, Barrister Dr. Saif, provided additional details, stating that the gunmen first targeted police personnel before opening fire on the passenger convoy from both sides. “The convoy consisted of around 200 vehicles,” he said.

Kurram’s deputy commissioner, Javedullah Mehsud, told AFP that “two separate convoys of Shia community members were targeted by the terrorists in Kurram district.” He added that both convoys, each consisting of around 40 vehicles, were travelling under police escort.

Shia Muslims make up about 15 percent of Pakistan’s population of 240 million, the majority of whom are Sunni Muslims. The country has a long-standing history of sectarian tensions between the two communities. While peaceful coexistence is common in many areas, certain regions, particularly Kurram, where Shia Muslims form the majority, have experienced recurring violence and sectarian clashes. In July, clashes over a land dispute in Kurram escalated into sectarian violence, leaving nearly 50 people dead from both sides.

In response to the attack, shop owners in Parachinar announced a strike for Friday as a form of protest.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan accused the government of failing to protect citizens in Kurram. “We demand immediate and decisive steps from both governments to break this cycle of violence once and for all,” the commission stated in a press release.

It is important to note that while Pakistanis are being killed in sectarian violence, security agencies and law enforcement authorities are focused primarily on suppressing political opposition. At present, all efforts are being directed toward preventing a political protest in Islamabad on November 24, 2024. To this end, containers have been placed throughout the city, and local authorities have announced plans to seal off Rawalpindi from 50 points to stop access to the capital.

In addition, the government has threatened consequences for those who join the protest. Most notably, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned students that their degrees could be revoked, and they may be barred from seeking admission to any university if they participate in the protest.

At the same time, rangers have been summoned and will be deployed in Islamabad to curb the protest.