At least 82 people have been killed and 156 others injured in three days of intense sectarian violence in northwestern Pakistan, officials confirmed on Sunday, November 24, 2024. The clashes erupted in Kurram district, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghan border, a region that has long been a hotspot for sectarian tensions between Shia and Sunni communities.
The violence began on Thursday, November 21, when two separate convoys of Shia Muslims traveling under police escort were ambushed, resulting in the deaths of 43 people. This attack sparked two days of gunfights, involving both light and heavy weapons, between rival Shia and Sunni groups. By the time the clashes subsided, the death toll had reached 82, with 66 Shia Muslims and 16 Sunnis among the victims.
Hundreds of families have fled the area as the fighting continued into the weekend, leaving the region in turmoil. The mobile network in Kurram has been suspended, and main roads have been blocked. Despite efforts to negotiate a ceasefire, including talks between provincial officials and the Shia community, the violence has yet to be fully contained.
In a statement, the provincial law minister emphasized the importance of securing a ceasefire before addressing the deeper issues fueling the conflict. Negotiations are ongoing, with additional talks planned between the Sunni community and government officials.
The violence comes amid a history of sectarian clashes in Kurram, where tensions between the Shia and Sunni populations have resulted in numerous deaths in recent years. In July and September, similar violence claimed dozens of lives.