Violence erupted again in Kurram, a district in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, overnight on Saturday, killing at least 32 people and wounding 47 more. The death toll reportedly includes 14 Sunni and 18 Shia Muslims, marking the latest in a series of deadly confrontations between the two communities. This outbreak comes on the heels of Thursday’s attack on Shia pilgrim convoys that left over 40 dead and dozens injured.
The ongoing violence in Kurram highlights the mounting tensions in the region, with sectarian and tribal conflicts being further inflamed by longstanding land disputes. Witnesses reported intense gunfire between the Alizai and Bagan tribes in the Lower Kurram area, with markets, houses, and government buildings set ablaze.
Spiraling Sectarian Strife
Thursday’s attack, which targeted convoys of Shia pilgrims escorted by police, was one of the deadliest incidents in the region this year. At least 42 people, including women and children, were killed when gunmen ambushed the convoys traveling from Parachinar to Peshawar. Survivors recounted harrowing moments of indiscriminate gunfire. “I lay down at the feet of the two passengers sitting next to me. Both of them were struck by multiple bullets and died instantly,” said Ajmeer Hussain, a survivor.
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The convoy attack has fueled retaliatory violence, with Shia groups targeting Sunni locations, including the Bagan bazaar. Reports suggest over 300 shops and more than 100 houses were torched in the attacks. Police confirmed that residents of predominantly Sunni villages had already evacuated in anticipation of further bloodshed.
Curfews and Protests Amid Heightened Tensions
Authorities have imposed a curfew in Kurram, suspended mobile services, and deployed additional security forces to the area in an attempt to quell the unrest. However, local residents have expressed frustration with the government’s failure to provide adequate security. Protests have erupted in Parachinar, where demonstrators accuse law enforcement of negligence in protecting the convoys and citizens.
“People are furious with the authorities,” said tribal elder Mehmood Ali Jan. “They were supposed to provide security but have failed to prevent these attacks.”
History of Sectarian Rivalry
Kurram, located near Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, has long been a flashpoint for sectarian violence. Shia Muslims, who constitute about 15% of Pakistan’s population, coexist with the Sunni majority, but the region has experienced periodic eruptions of deadly conflict. Between 2007 and 2011, over 2,000 people were killed in similar clashes.
The district’s strategic location bordering Afghanistan makes it a hotspot for armed groups, including the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State, further complicating efforts to maintain peace. Officials have not ruled out the involvement of such militant groups in Thursday’s convoy attack, though investigations are ongoing.
Rising Death Toll
Since July, sectarian violence in Kurram has claimed the lives of about 150 people. This week’s clashes alone have resulted in at least 70 deaths and left scores injured. On Friday evening, retaliatory attacks targeting Sunni areas killed an additional 18 people, bringing the toll from Thursday’s incidents and subsequent violence to 58 by Saturday.
According to provincial officials, efforts are underway to broker peace through dialogue with local elders. However, the volatile situation on the ground continues to hinder such attempts. “There is naturally a lot of anger and fury among the people in the area,” said Javedullah Mehsud, a senior official.
Calls for Action
The escalating violence has prompted calls for urgent government intervention. Earlier this month, thousands of residents gathered in Parachinar for a peace march, demanding stronger security measures for the district’s 800,000 residents, nearly half of whom are Shia. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks, describing them as “sheer brutality” and vowing to hold the perpetrators accountable.
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Despite these assurances, the fragile situation in Kurram shows no signs of abating. With tribal rivalries, sectarian animosities, and militant activities converging in the region, the path to peace remains fraught with challenges.