Tragedy in Parachinar: 55 Killed in Kurram Attack Amid Rising Tensions

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Parachinar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A horrific incident unfolded in Pakistan’s Kurram district as gunmen ambushed a convoy of passenger vehicles, leaving at least 55 people dead, including women and children, while many others sustained injuries. Authorities fear the death toll may rise further, as several victims remain critically wounded. The attack targeted a convoy traveling under the escort of law enforcement on the recently reopened Parachinar-Peshawar road.

The Attack

The attack occurred in the Lower Kurram area of Mandori. According to Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javed Ullah Mehsud, the injured were rushed to hospitals in Peshawar and Tall. Eyewitness accounts describe a horrifying scene as assailants unleashed indiscriminate gunfire, utilizing heavy weapons. The assault began as the convoy entered Parachinar's limits, with firing reported from multiple fortified positions along a 14-kilometer stretch, including Mandori, Bhagan, and Ochat.

Dr. Muhammad Nawaz from the Mandori Basic Health Unit confirmed that 33 bodies, including six women, were brought to the center, while additional casualties were treated at nearby facilities. Survivors narrated harrowing experiences of bullets raining down from all sides, forcing passengers to take cover inside vehicles.

Eyewitness Testimonies

Saeeda Bano, a passenger traveling with her children, shared her ordeal, “I begged the security personnel for additional guards, but they assured us everything would be fine. Minutes later, the convoy came under fire from multiple directions. I thought my children and I wouldn’t survive. The vehicles at the front and rear were the primary targets.”

Pirbhusen Shah, another survivor, described the chaos: “It felt like they wouldn’t spare anyone. Gunfire erupted from all directions. Many passengers were caught in the crossfire while trying to escape.”

Security Lapses

A security official deployed to escort the convoy admitted to being overwhelmed by the attack. “There were only five or six of us against unknown assailants hidden in the mountains. Even one of our team members was injured,” he said.

This tragedy follows earlier violence on October 12, when 15 people were killed in a similar attack, prompting the temporary closure of the Parachinar-Peshawar road.

Official Response

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government spokesperson Barrister Saif expressed condolences and described the attack as a calculated assault on both security forces and civilians. "Over 200 vehicles were part of the convoy, making them a vulnerable target. The provincial government, led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, is actively monitoring the situation, and investigations are underway," he said.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also conveyed his concerns, emphasizing federal support to improve security in the province.

Kurram: A Region on Edge

The Kurram district, Pakistan's only Shia-majority tribal region, holds strategic importance due to its geographical location bordering Afghanistan. Often referred to as "Parrot's Beak" during the Soviet-Afghan war, the area has been a flashpoint for sectarian violence.

Tensions have escalated in recent months, with August clashes claiming over 43 lives and injuring more than 150. The Parachinar-Peshawar road remains a vital but perilous lifeline, passing through Sunni-majority areas, further exacerbating ethnic and sectarian divides.

As authorities work to uncover the perpetrators, the attack underscores the fragile peace in Pakistan’s tribal regions and the urgent need for heightened security and reconciliation efforts.