Sectarian Clashes in Northwest Pakistan Leave 32 Dead, Dozens Wounded

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — At least 32 people were killed and 47 others were wounded in ongoing sectarian violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northwest Pakistan, officials reported on Saturday. The latest clashes follow deadly attacks on Shiite passenger convoys that left 43 dead earlier this week.

The violence, which has seen periodic outbreaks between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in the region, has claimed the lives of around 150 people over the past few months. The provincial Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan, has become a hotspot for this escalating conflict.

According to a senior administrative official, the fighting continues at multiple locations, with casualties now including 14 Sunnis and 18 Shiites. “The situation remains tense, and efforts to contain the violence are ongoing,” the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

Attack on Shiite Convoys

On Thursday, gunmen opened fire on two Shiite Muslim convoys traveling with a police escort in the Kurram district. The attack killed 43 people, including seven women and three children, and left at least 11 others in critical condition.

In retaliation, Shiite militants launched an assault on several Sunni locations in Kurram on Friday. The violence escalated when a group of Shiite attackers set fire to the Sunni-majority Bagan Bazaar, destroying more than 300 shops and over 100 homes. Local Sunnis retaliated with gunfire, exacerbating the already tense situation.

Sectarian Tensions Rise

The Kurram district, once semi-autonomous, has long been a focal point of sectarian violence, where Sunni-Shiite clashes have led to hundreds of deaths over the years. The recent attacks have sparked widespread outrage, with thousands of Shiite Muslims taking to the streets in major cities across Pakistan. Demonstrations were held in Lahore, Karachi, and Parachinar, where mourners attended funerals for the victims, primarily Shiite civilians.

In response to the unrest, local authorities have deployed additional security forces to the region, and efforts are underway to mediate peace through tribal elders and community leaders.

Humanitarian Crisis

Human rights organizations have condemned the violence and called for urgent intervention. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has warned that the sectarian clashes have reached a critical point, describing the situation as a potential “humanitarian crisis.” The HRCP also highlighted concerns over the easy access of rival groups to heavy weaponry, pointing to the state’s inability to control arms smuggling into the region.

This latest round of violence is part of a broader pattern of sectarian clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In the past few months, dozens of lives have been lost in similar incidents, and previous ceasefire efforts by tribal councils have proven to be short-lived.

Rising Tensions Amidst Broader Security Concerns

The fresh wave of sectarian violence comes just days after the deaths of at least 20 soldiers in separate incidents in the region, further complicating the already volatile security situation. As the conflict continues to unfold, there are growing concerns over the long-term stability of the area and the safety of vulnerable communities.

With tensions at a boiling point, both local authorities and international observers are calling for a stronger response to curb the violence and prevent further bloodshed in the region.