Gunmen Kill 42 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Attack

A deadly gun attack on passenger vans in Lower Kurram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has resulted in at least 42 fatalities, including seven women and a nine-year-old girl, with over 30 others injured. The attack occurred on a convoy of around 200 vehicles traveling from Parachinar to Peshawar, specifically targeting Shia passengers in a region known for sectarian tensions. Local authorities have indicated that this assault may be retaliation for a previous attack that left 15 dead. Investigations are underway, but no group has claimed responsibility, although speculation surrounds the involvement of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Government officials, including the Prime Minister and President, condemned the violence, emphasizing the need for justice and increased security measures. The situation remains tense, with local leaders calling for protection and expressing outrage over insufficient security during the convoy's journey.