Pakistan: 32 Killed in Sectarian Clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Deadliest in Recent Weeks

Sectarian violence has escalated in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, leaving at least 32 people dead and 30 others injured within the last 24 hours, according to police sources. The clashes between the Alizai and Bagan tribes in the Kurram district, bordering Afghanistan, come on the heels of a deadly militant attack on a convoy of passenger vans on Thursday that claimed 47 lives.

Escalating Clashes and Casualties

Gunfire and heavy weapons exchanges have been reported in several villages, including Balishkhel, Khar Kali, Kunj Alizai, and Maqbal. The tribal groups have targeted each other with automatic weapons, resulting in extensive damage to homes and shops. Many residents have fled their villages in search of safety.

Local sources and media reports suggest that the death toll from the ongoing violence has surpassed 30, with dozens more injured. Educational institutions across the district have been closed due to the unrest, confirmed Muhammad Hayat Hassan, chairman of the Private Education Network.

Deadly Militant Attack Preceded Clashes

The violence follows a brutal attack on Thursday in which militants ambushed a convoy of over 50 passenger vehicles in the Bagan, Manduri, and Ochhat areas. Gunmen fired on the convoy, directly hitting six vehicles and killing 47 people, including women and children. Police reported that most of the victims belonged to the Shia Muslim community.

The convoy was en route from Parachinar to Peshawar when it was targeted. This incident further inflamed sectarian tensions in the region, which has a history of animosity between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

Also Read: Gunmen Attack Passenger Vehicles in Pakistan, 38 Killed, 29 injured

History of Sectarian Tensions in Kurram

Shiite Muslims comprise about 15% of Pakistan's 240 million population, which is predominantly Sunni. While the two communities largely coexist peacefully, Kurram district has long been a hotspot for sectarian violence due to its significant Shiite population.

In July, similar clashes over a land dispute between Sunni and Shia groups in the district resulted in nearly 50 deaths.

Government Response and Rising Concerns

The Pakistani government has intensified intelligence-based operations in violence-prone regions, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. These areas are frequently targeted by militant groups such as the Pakistani Taliban and the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army.

Despite ongoing military efforts, the resurgence of sectarian violence underscores the fragility of peace in these regions. The government has yet to announce specific measures to address the escalating situation in Kurram, which threatens to further destabilize the region.

As the unrest continues, the residents of Kurram face displacement and uncertainty, with no immediate resolution in sight.