Deadly Shia-Sunni Clashes Erupt in Pakistan’s Kurram Region

In Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the Baghan Bazaar area of Kurram has witnessed intense sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni Muslims. On Friday night, Shia groups reportedly launched armed attacks on Sunni neighborhoods, setting houses ablaze and killing several people. Over the past two days, the violence has claimed more than 47 lives, with 20 fatalities reported on Friday night alone. Tensions escalated further as Shia groups replaced Pakistan’s national flag with their own, prompting authorities to impose a curfew in the area.

In an attempt to curb the violence, the Pakistani administration has suspended mobile services in the region. Businesses and educational institutions in the Parachinar area, close to the Afghan border, remain closed. This region has a history of severe Shia-Sunni clashes. On Friday, thousands of Shia protestors took to the streets, and a convoy of over 200 vehicles carrying Shia Muslims from Peshawar to Parachinar was ambushed by armed Sunni groups near Baghan town. Witnesses reported intense gunfire from all sides, leaving a significant number of casualties. The attack, which lasted around 30 minutes, resulted in numerous fatalities and 16 injuries, with 11 critically wounded, according to Dawn.

Shia groups have accused the police of failing to provide adequate security to the convoy, despite accompanying it. The Deputy Commissioner of Kurram confirmed the death toll. Following the violence, widespread protests erupted across the region. According to AFP, the situation remains highly volatile, with mobile services shut down to prevent further escalation.

After burying those killed in the Sunni attacks, enraged Shia groups set fire to two Pakistani military checkpoints. Kurram has a long history of sectarian clashes, with major incidents occurring as recently as July and September. The recent violence underscores the deeply rooted tensions in the region and the challenges in maintaining peace.