42 killed in attack on Shia pilgrims in Pakistan

Local officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have announced that the death toll from the deadly attack on a convoy of Shia pilgrims in the Kurram region has risen to 42.

Aftab Aslam, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Minister of Law, described the attack as “terrorist” in nature and stated that no local group was involved in the incident.

On Thursday, November 21, police reported that an armed attack on a convoy of vehicles carrying Shia pilgrims in the Char Khel and Mandori areas of Kurram Agency, Pakistan, left at least 38 people dead, including six women.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police also confirmed that three women and 11 others were injured in the attack.

According to the police, the Shia convoy was attacked while traveling from the Shia-majority area of Parachinar to Peshawar. Armed assailants, reportedly using the surrounding mountains for cover, opened fire on the convoy for about an hour.

Senior Pakistani officials, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and several local leaders, have strongly condemned the attack.

The incident highlights the growing threat of terrorism in Pakistan and the increasing vulnerability of minority communities. Such attacks not only cause devastating loss of life but also deepen the sectarian divide, further destabilizing an already fragile region.

To prevent future tragedies, it is imperative for authorities to strengthen security measures, particularly for religious minorities. A unified approach involving both local leadership and national stakeholders is essential to combat the rise of terrorism and promote harmony in conflict-prone areas like Kurram.

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