Sectarian Violence in Northwestern Pakistan Claims 37 Lives

Fighting between armed Sunni and Shiite groups in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, has resulted in at least 37 fatalities and 25 injuries, Arab News reported today.

The violence erupted overnight, with reports indicating that armed men targeted each other with heavy weaponry, leading to the destruction of shops and homes.

Local police reported that the clashes involved the Alizai and Bagan tribes, intensifying tensions that have persisted since a recent land dispute escalated into broader sectarian violence. Educational institutions in the area remain closed due to the ongoing unrest.

Survivors recounted a deadly ambush where gunmen opened fire on passenger vehicles, with no group claiming responsibility for the attacks. This incident follows a previous ambush that martyred 42 individuals, highlighting the possibility of vicious players in the region attempting to cleanse the Shia community under the context of sectarian violence.