Protesters in Pakistan's northwest region gathered to mourn the loss of 42 Shiite Muslims who were ambushed and killed by gunmen in one of the deadliest attacks in recent years. The victims, including six women, were traveling in a convoy from Parachinar to Peshawar when the assailants opened fire on their vehicles, leaving 20 others injured.
The attack, which took place in the Kurram area where Shiite Muslims dominate, has sparked outrage and grief among the community. The bodies of the victims were brought back to the city, draped in white cloth with red calligraphy honoring the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein.
Locals in Parachinar staged a somber procession, carrying the coffins through the streets as shops and schools closed in mourning. Families of the victims expressed their shock and sorrow, with one man lamenting the loss of his innocent nephew who left behind young children.
The incident has reignited tensions between Shiite and Sunni Muslims in Pakistan, where sectarian clashes have claimed numerous lives in recent months. Calls for justice and action against the perpetrators have been echoed by the community, with some resorting to protests and setting fire to check posts in a display of anger.
While the two religious groups coexist peacefully in many areas, longstanding animosities persist in regions like Kurram, where a land dispute in July escalated into widespread sectarian violence. The tragic attack serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by minority communities in the country.
