Death toll in attack on passenger vehicles in Kurram rises to 42

KURRAM: Attackers opened fire on passenger vehicles in Ochat area of ​​Kurram district on Thursday, killing at least 42 people, including a woman and a child. News Geo reported.

Besides the deaths, police said the attack, which targeted the convoy traveling from Parachinar to Peshawar, injured several others, including three women.

They added that the injured have been shifted to different hospitals, including some of them are being treated at THQ Alizai Hospital.

The convoy of vehicles came under attack in Char Khel and Mandori areas of the district, where unidentified gunmen continued to fire on the vehicles for nearly an hour, leaving several passengers dead and injured.

KP minister says terrorist outfit behind attack

KP Law Minister Aftab Alam said News Geo that an investigation is underway to establish the facts behind the incident and confirmed that the number of martyrs has risen to 42.

Detailing the incident following an initial investigation, Alam said the gunmen resorted to firing at the convoy of vehicles in the mountains.

The minister said he wanted to visit Kurram, but roads leading to the district were closed following a dispute between two rival groups blaming each other for the incident.

He, however, maintained that no local group was involved in the deadly attack and added that the shooting was carried out by a terrorist group.

President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the firing incident that took place in Kurram district targeting passenger vehicles.

The President, in a statement, expressed grief over the loss of precious lives in the incident and called it a cowardly and inhumane act.

He instructed the concerned authorities to take to task the perpetrators of the attack on innocent citizens.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the convoy of innocent civilians, including women and children, in Kurram district.

He ordered to provide the best medical care to those injured in the incident.

In a statement issued by the City Hall, the prime minister ordered those involved in the attack to be brought to justice.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday condemned the attack on passenger vehicles in Lower Kurram district and expressed deep grief over the loss of more than 30 precious lives.

He prayed for the elevation of the deceased and offered sincere condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families, wishing them patience and strength.

Kundi described the shooting as an extremely heinous act and expressed deep concern over the incident, especially considering that it took place despite the presence of a convoy.

He stressed that the ruthless perpetrators, responsible for shedding the blood of innocent passengers, should not be given leniency.

The governor also said that the security situation in the province is worsening day by day and such incidents are deeply alarming. He called for immediate action to address the deteriorating law and order conditions in the region.

Naqvi calls Gandapur after a deadly attack

Condemning the Kurram incident in a press conference in Islamabad today, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that 38 people were martyred in the gun attack.

Following the incident, Naqvi called KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and expressed concern over terror attacks in the province.

Both leaders agreed on joint efforts to eliminate the menace of terrorism.

CM Gandapur emphasized for improving contacts and cooperation in security matters.

CM Gandapur, condemning the gun attack, ordered the provincial law minister, the concerned MPs and the chief secretary to visit Kurram.

He instructed the delegation to thoroughly monitor the developments and submit a report besides ordering the activation of the Jirga to improve the law and order situation in Kurram.

The KP chief executive also announced financial assistance to the heirs of those martyred in the attack.

It has been several months since the district has been plagued by clashes between various tribes and parties. The clashes claimed dozens of lives.

The violence has led to frequent closures of main and connecting roads as well as the border with Afghanistan, causing immense hardship for local residents.

Elders in the area said the continued closure of the main and link roads would lead to massive humanitarian crises due to acute shortage of edible food, medicine, petrol and diesel stocks in Kurram district.

Tribal elders from the Turi and Bangash tribes have expressed concern that continued road closures have caused food and fuel shortages, raising fears of a major humanitarian crisis.

They said the suspension of 3G and 4G services also caused distress to students and citizens, affecting studies and business alike in the area.

After incidents of firing on passenger vehicles last month, the main Parachinar-Peshawar and other routes were closed amid fears of more such incidents as violence continues to haunt the region.

Clashes in September left 60 people dead and dozens injured, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said.

The dispute involved two rival tribes fighting over a piece of land. In August, the two sides reached a two-month ceasefire after armed clashes left 50 dead and 226 injured.

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With additional input from APP