The death toll due to an attack on private vehicles in Kurram rises to 42

KURRAM: Attackers opened fire on passenger vehicles in Ochat area of ​​Kurram district on Thursday, killing at least 42 persons including a woman and a child. Geo news reported.

In addition to the deaths, police said the attack, which targeted the convoy traveling from Parachinar to Peshawar, injured several others, including three women.

They added that the injured have been shifted to various hospitals, including some of them being treated at THQ Hospital Alizai.

The convoy of vehicles was attacked in Char Khel and Mandori areas of the district where unidentified gunmen continued to fire on the vehicles for almost an hour, leaving several passengers dead and injured.

KP minister says terrorist group is behind attack

KP Justice Minister Aftab Alam said this Geo news that an investigation is underway to determine the facts behind the incident and that the number of martyrs has risen to 42.

Detailing the incident after initial investigation, Alam said the armed men resorted to firing at the convoy of vehicles from the mountains.

The minister said he wanted to visit Kurram but roads into the district were closed following a dispute between two rival groups who blame each other for the incident.

However, he claimed that no local group was involved in the deadly attack, adding that the shooting was carried out by a terrorist group.

President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the shooting incident in Kurram district in which the passenger vehicles were attacked.

The President, in a statement, expressed grief over the loss of precious lives in the incident, calling it a cowardly and inhumane act.

He directed the concerned authorities to hold the perpetrators of the attack on innocent civilians accountable.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the convoy of innocent civilians, including women and children, in Kurram district.

He directed to provide best medical care to those injured in the incident.

In a statement from the PM Office, the Prime Minister ordered those involved in the attack to be brought to justice.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday also condemned the attack on passenger vehicles in Lower Kurram district and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of more than thirty precious lives.

He prayed for the upliftment of the ranks of the deceased and extended his sincere condolences and condolences to the grieving families and wished them patience and strength.

Kundi described the shooting as an extremely heinous act and expressed serious concern over the incident, especially as it took place despite the presence of a convoy.

He stressed that the ruthless perpetrators responsible for shedding the blood of innocent passengers should not be granted leniency.

The governor further said that the security situation in the province was deteriorating day by day and such incidents are very alarming. He called for immediate measures to address deteriorating law and order conditions in the region.

Naqvi calls Gandapur after a deadly attack

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi today condemned the Kurram incident at a press conference in Islamabad and confirmed that 38 people were killed in the fierce gun attack.

After the incident, Naqvi called KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and expressed concern over the terrorist attacks in the province.

Both leaders agreed on joint efforts to eradicate the menace of terrorism.

CM Gandapur emphasized on strengthening contacts and cooperation on security issues.

CM Gandapur condemned the gun attack and ordered the provincial law minister, concerned legislators and the chief secretary to visit Kurram.

He instructed the delegation to closely monitor developments and present a report, besides ordering activation of Jirga to improve law and order in Kurram.

The KP leader also announced financial support for the heirs of those martyred in the attack.

It has been several months since the district has been marred by clashes between different tribes and parties. The clashes have claimed dozens of lives.

The violence has led to frequent closures of main and connecting roads and the border with Afghanistan, causing enormous problems for local residents.

The area elders have said that continued closure of major and connecting roads would lead to massive humanitarian crises due to acute shortage of edibles, medicines, petrol and diesel supplies in District Kurram.

Tribal elders from the Turi and Bangash tribes have expressed concern that continued road closures have led to shortages of food and fuel supplies, raising fears of a major humanitarian crisis.

They said the suspension of 3G and 4G services had also caused problems for students and citizens, affecting both studies and businesses in the area.

Following shooting incidents on passenger vehicles last month, the main Parachinar-Peshawar routes and other routes were closed amid fears of more such incidents as violence continues to haunt the region.

Clashes in September left 60 dead and dozens injured, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said.

The dispute involved two rival tribes fighting over a piece of land. In August, the two sides agreed to a two-month ceasefire after armed clashes left 50 dead and 226 others injured.

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With additional input from APP