Gunmen opened fire on passenger vehicles carrying Shiite Muslim civilians in northwest Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 50 people, and injuring 20 others. The attack is one of the deadliest in the region in recent years, according to police, news agency PTI reported.

The militants ambushed the vehicles in the Kurram district of restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, which has witnessed deadly sectarian clashes between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in recent months. No group has claimed responsibility for the assault till now.

The vehicles were traveling in a convoy from Parachinar to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when gunmen opened fire, the officials said. Rescue authorities said 50 people, including eight women and five children, and 20 others were killed in the attack. Most of the victims belonged to the Shia community, they said.

The vehicles were ambushed in Taliban-dominated areas, a local journalist said. Local media reports say that there were over 200 vehicles in the convoy.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur condemned the attack and ordered a delegation, including the provincial law minister, regional lawmakers, and the chief secretary, to visit Kurram immediately to assess the situation. He also directed authorities to establish a Provincial Highways Police unit to ensure the security of all roads in the province.

Gandapur extended condolences to the bereaved families and announced financial assistance for the families of the victims. “Targeting innocent civilians is extremely tragic and condemnable. Those involved in this incident will not escape the grip of the law,” he said, as quoted by PTI.

Source: Indian Express

BDST: 1018 HRS, NOV 22, 2024
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