More than 40 people killed in one of Pakistan’s worst sectarian attacks

At slightest 42 radical were killed aft gunmen opened fire connected a convoy of vehicles carrying Shiite Muslims successful northwest Pakistan connected Thursday successful what has been termed arsenic 1 of the country’s deadliest sectarian attacks successful caller years.

The onslaught occurred successful Khyber Pakhtunkhwa state – an country with a history of sectarian violence betwixt Sunni and Shiite communities.

The convoy, travelling from Parachinar to Peshawar, was ambushed contempt anterior threats to Shiites successful the region. At slightest 20 others were besides injured successful the attack which happened successful Kurram district. An eyewitness, Mir Hussain, 35, said helium saw 4 gunmen look from a conveyance and unfastened occurrence connected buses and cars.

“I deliberation different radical were besides firing astatine the convoy of vehicles from adjacent unfastened workplace field,” helium told the Associated Press. “The firing continued for astir 40 minutes.”

He said helium hid until the attackers fled. “I heard cries of women, and radical were shouting for help.”

According to Dawn newspaper, Pakistan’s interior curate Mohsin Naqvi told reporters that the toll was 38 connected Thursday. “This past week has been hard and upsetting, present 38 radical person been martyred successful Kurram. We spot a caller incidental each time present and are successful changeless interaction with the KP authorities, KP inspector wide of constabulary and the main minister.”

KP authorities spokesperson Barrister Dr Saif provided details of the attack, stating that the gunmen archetypal targeted constabulary unit earlier opening occurrence connected the rider convoy from some sides.

“The convoy consisted of astir 200 vehicles,” helium said.

Barrister Saif added that an investigation into the incidental is presently underway.

Kurram lawman commissioner, Javedullah Mehsud, told AFP that “two abstracted convoys of members of the Shia assemblage … were targeted by the terrorists successful the Kurram district.

“Both convoys consisted of astir 40 vehicles travelling nether constabulary escort,” helium said.

Shiite Muslims represent astir 15 per cent of Pakistan’s 240 cardinal population, wherever the bulk are Sunni Muslims. The state has a long-standing past of sectarian tensions betwixt the 2 communities.

While they mostly coexist peacefully, definite areas, peculiarly successful Kurram, wherever Shiites signifier the majority, person seen recurring conflicts. In July, clashes implicit a onshore quality successful Kurram escalated into sectarian violence, leaving astir 50 radical dormant from some sides.

Baqir Haideri, a section Shiite leader, criticised section authorities for failing to supply capable information for the convoy of implicit 100 vehicles, contempt anterior threats from militants targeting Shiites successful Kurram.

President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack, portion premier curate Shehbaz Sharif vowed to bring those liable for the sidesplitting of guiltless civilians to justice. “Attacking guiltless passengers is simply a cowardly and inhumane act,” Mr Zardari said.

Mr Sharif said: “The enemies of the bid of the state attacked the convoy of guiltless citizens which is tantamount to brutality. All attempts of anti-national elements to destruct the bid of the beloved state volition beryllium thwarted.

“The evil elements progressive successful the incidental volition beryllium identified and punished accordingly. Saboteurs cannot demoralise the brave Pakistani federation by specified cowardly actions,” helium said.

Meanwhile, successful effect to the attack, store owners successful Parachinar announced a onslaught for Friday arsenic a signifier of protest.

No radical has yet claimed work for the Thursday attack, though militant organisations specified arsenic Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) person a past of targeting Shiite Muslims successful the district, the New York Times reported.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan accused the authorities of failing to support citizens successful Kurram. “We request contiguous and decisive steps from some governments to permanently interruption this rhythm of violence,” the committee said successful a statement.

Additional reporting by agencies.