International

41 Killed As Gunmen Open Fire On Convoy In Pakistan

Published

5 hours ago

Nov 22, 2024.

Dennis

At least 41 people, including women and children, were killed when unidentified gunmen ambushed a convoy of 200 passenger vehicles in Pakistan’s remote Kurram tribal district near the Afghan border. The attack, described by authorities as a “major tragedy,” has also left 16 others critically injured, with fears the death toll could rise.

The convoy, which was under police escort due to recent sectarian violence in the area, came under heavy fire as it traveled through the mountainous region. According to officials, the gunmen first targeted the police escort before indiscriminately opening fire on the vehicles.

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Saeeda Bano, a survivor traveling with her children, recounted how she hid under car seats as the gunfire raged for several minutes. “When it stopped, I saw injured people and bodies lying on the road,” she said.

Deputy Police Commissioner Javed Ullah Mehsud revealed that approximately 10 attackers fired from both sides of the road. Women and children sought refuge in nearby houses as police combed the area for the assailants. Most of the convoy’s passengers were Shia Muslims, adding to concerns of sectarian motives.

Kurram has been a hotspot of Sunni-Shia sectarian violence this year, often tied to land disputes. Previous clashes have claimed dozens of lives, with tribal councils attempting to mediate ceasefires. However, attacks persist, including a similar ambush last month that killed 15 people.

The road used by the convoy had only recently reopened, with strict requirements for police protection due to the security risks. The region’s proximity to Afghan provinces housing militant groups like the Islamic State and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has further heightened tensions.