At least 39 people have been killed and 28 others injured, including women, in an attack on a convoy of passenger vehicles in the Uchat area of Lower Kurram.
According to police, the convoy of vehicles was travelling from Parachinar to Peshawar when unidentified armed men opened fire with automatic weapons. Seven women, including a nine-year-old girl, were among the dead, according to the deputy commissioner, while three women and a policeman were among the injured.
According to police and hospital sources, a convoy of passenger vehicles was going from Parachinar to Peshawar, and similarly, a convoy was going from Peshawar to Parachinar. As soon as this convoy of 200 vehicles reached the Mandori Charkhil and Uchat areas of Lower Kurram, it was ambushed by armed men.
Witnesses reported that the assailants indiscriminately targeted the vehicles, causing significant casualties. Hospital sources confirmed that the bodies of five victims, including a woman, were shifted to Alizai, while eight injured individuals were admitted to Mandori hospital for treatment. Moreover, 12 of the injured, including two women, were shifted to CMH Tal, while 16 injured were taken to Alizai Tehsil Headquarters Hospital.
Bangash, the leader of the Turi Bangash tribe, says that dozens of passengers are still stranded in the area. The forces should take immediate action, evacuate them safely from the area and take immediate steps to save the lives of the injured.
Tribal leaders Jalal Bangash and Allama Tajammul Hussain also condemned the killing and said that for the past one and a half months, they had been requesting the government to secure the transportation routes. Moreover, more than 100,000 people organised a peaceful walk from Parachinar to Peshawar and Islamabad as a protest two weeks ago, after which convoys were resumed.
But, they claimed, effective steps were not taken to secure the routes, due to which such a tragic incident happened.
Leaders condemn deadly attack
President Asif Zardari expressed profound grief over the loss of innocent lives, describing the assault on unsuspecting passengers as barbaric. He called for swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and emphasized the need for timely medical aid for the injured.
“Those responsible for this heinous crime are neither human nor Muslim,” he stated, offering condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the deceased.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also strongly condemned the attack, referring to it as an act of terrorism by anti-peace elements. He directed authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the injured and ensure that those involved face exemplary punishment.
"Such cowardly acts will not demoralise the brave Pakistani nation," the PM declared, vowing to thwart any attempts to destabilize peace.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the heinous act, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives. "Those who target innocent people do not deserve any concession," he stated, offering heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
The minister assured that the government’s full sympathies are with the victims’ families and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur expressed sorrow and sympathy for the victims’ families and announced financial assistance for those affected. Taking notice of the incident, he directed a delegation comprising provincial law officials, MNAs, and MPAs to visit Kurram immediately to assess the situation.
Gandapur further emphasized the need to reactivate local jirgas and called for the establishment of a provincial highway police force to ensure the safety of highways in the region.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and extended her condolences to the bereaved families.
