Recent clashes between armed Sunni and Shiite groups in northwestern Pakistan have resulted in the tragic loss of at least 33 lives, with 25 others sustaining injuries, according to a senior police officer from the region. The violence erupted overnight in Kurram, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, following a deadly gun ambush that claimed the lives of 42 individuals just days prior.
Shiite Muslims, who constitute approximately 15% of Pakistan's predominantly Sunni population of 240 million, have historically faced sectarian tensions in the country. While coexistence between the two groups is generally peaceful, areas like Kurram continue to experience underlying animosities.
The senior police official reported that armed individuals in Bagan and Bacha Kot resorted to arson, setting fire to shops, residences, and government property. The Lower Kurram region witnessed intense gunfire exchanges between the Alizai and Bagan tribes, prompting the closure of educational institutions due to escalating tensions.
Video footage shared with The Associated Press depicted a market engulfed in flames, with the night sky illuminated by orange hues and the sound of gunfire echoing in the background. The location targeted in the recent attack was once again besieged by armed assailants who unleashed violence on the area.
Survivors of the gun ambush recounted a harrowing scene where attackers emerged from a vehicle and indiscriminately fired upon buses and cars. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the assault, and authorities are yet to ascertain a definitive motive behind the attack.
Since July, Kurram has been embroiled in a series of violent incidents stemming from a land dispute that escalated into broader sectarian clashes, resulting in the loss of numerous lives from both the Sunni and Shiite communities.
