Sectarian Attack Kills Dozens in Kurram District

Gunmen ambushed a convoy of passenger vehicles in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, specifically in the Kurram district, killing at least 38 to 50 people and injuring up to 30 others. The convoy, primarily carrying Shiite Muslims, was traveling from Parachinar to Peshawar when attackers opened fire from both sides of a road, targeting the police escort first. This attack is part of ongoing sectarian violence in the region, which has been a hotspot for clashes between Sunni and Shia communities, often exacerbated by land disputes. The attack has been condemned by Pakistani officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari, who have promised to bring the perpetrators to justice. The region, bordering Afghanistan, is known for the presence of anti-Shia militant groups like the Pakistani Taliban. This incident follows months of tension and a recent reopening of the highway after previous violent clashes.