Shia-Sunni Unrest Turns Deadly: 130 Killed in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 186 injured

The death toll in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has risen to 130, with six more people killed and eight injured on Sunday, as violence in the Kurram district entered its 11th day. The clashes are between the Alizai and Bagan tribes, stemming from sectarian tensions.

 

 

The trouble began on November 22, when a convoy of passenger vans near Parachinar was attacked, killing 47 people. Over the following days, several injured passengers succumbed to their wounds, raising the total deaths from the convoy attack to 57.

 

 

Despite a ceasefire agreement between Sunni and Shia groups, the situation remains volatile. Authorities have confirmed the failure of a 10-day truce brokered by senior officials, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry and IGP Akhtar Hayat Gandapur. Sporadic violence continues to disrupt any hope of peace.

 

 

The Kurram region is currently under a communication blackout, with mobile and internet services suspended. Schools and colleges in the area have also been shut down for safety reasons.

 

 

Officials stated that police and security forces are stationed in Lower Kurram to restore order, and further efforts to secure a truce in other areas are underway. However, the violence shows no signs of easing, leaving residents in fear and uncertainty.

 

 

(With inputs from Agencies)