Pakistan: Parachi­nar killing big question mark

The death toll from Thursday’s attack on passenger vehicles in Khyber Pakhtun­khwa’s Kurram district area has surpassed 40. The district is located near Afghanistan border and has a history of sectarian violence.

The convoy of around 200 vehicles, carrying Shia passengers between Peshawar and Parachi­nar, came under heavy gunfire in the densely populated Bagan town.

The convoy was escorted by police when it came under attack. The incident has attracted condemnation and law enforcement agencies are being criticized for the negligence.

Thursday’s ambush is the latest in a series of sectarian clashes between Sunni and Shia tribes in Kurram. Previous clashes in July and September claimed dozens of lives.

The frequency of such incidents confirms the failure of the federal and provincial governments to protect the ordinary citizens.

Authorities have imposed curfew and suspended mobile service. Businesses, educational institutions and markets were closed.