KURRAM: In what obviously was a sectarian clash, ten unidentified militants fired from both sides of the road at Shia passengers travelling from Parachinar to Peshawar in a convoy consisting 200 vans here on Thursday (21st Nov, 2024) killing 43 Shia men, women, children (as well as cops escorting them) and injuring thirty (who have been shifted to THQ Hospital Alizai and other facilities).
Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri, Central Chairman of Shia political party MWM, had announced a three-day mourning across the country.
Although GoP is maintaining that the tragedy was the result of an ongoing land dispute ruling out sectarian motives, the point to ponder is that the disagreement is still between Shia and Non-Shia claimants of the terrain.
It is pertinent to mention here that in the month of July 2024, Bushehra and Ahmadzai tribes remained engaged in deadly clashes for 6 weeks. Then the skirmishes in August, September and October (2024) devoured 100 lives. On 21st November, 43 people were killed and 30 got critically injured in the ambush on convey of Shia voyagers.
On 23rd November another clash claimed 18 lives. In order to make things more complicated a conspiracy theory has also been hatched that TTP is behind the attack. TTP Syndrome, Sectarian Clash or Land Dispute: Crux of the matter is that people want to live a tranquil life.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Lalley, Spokesperson of the US Mission here, while commenting on the Thursday (21 Nov) attack on passengers in Kurram (that claimed 42 lives) has stated that his country joined the GoP in condemning the horrific attack in Kurram that killed dozens of innocent Pakistanis and critically injured many more.
“Our sympathies and condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and we wish the injured a full and speedy recovery. The Pakistani people deserve to live free from harm, danger, and threat, and to feel protected and secure in their daily lives.
“The United States will remain a steadfast partner as Pakistan works to ensure the safety and security of all its citizens. We stand in solidarity with Pakistan and the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in this difficult time.”
Newspakistan.tv
