The death toll from the tragic firing on passenger vehicles in Parachinar has risen to 43, including seven women and children. Funerals were offered for the victims, authorities said on Friday as they imposed a curfew and suspended mobile phone service in the remote mountainous Kurram district, reported 24NewsHD on Friday.
According to police, the incident occurred in the Ochut area of Lower Kurram, where armed assailants ambushed two passenger convoys yesterday.
The convoys belonged to the Tori Bangash tribes, one heading to Peshawar and the other to Parachinar. The attack left 39 people dead on the spot and over 50 injured, with the injured being treated at CMH and Alizai Tehsil Hospital.
Tribal leader Jalal Bangash revealed that many passengers were trapped in the area, prompting calls for urgent rescue operations.
"The death toll from yesterday’s attack on a convoy in Kurram has risen to 43," Javed Ullah Mehsud, a senior administration official, told AFP. "The victims include seven women and three children," Mehsud said,.
He added that out of the 16 injured, 11 were in critical condition.
A senior police officer confirmed the death toll to AFP.
A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Friday that mobile signal across the district had been shut down, describing the situation as "extremely tense" with locals staging a sit-in in Parachinar, the district's main town.
"A curfew has been imposed on the main road connecting Upper and Lower Kurram, and the bazaar remains completely closed, with all traffic suspended," the official said.
Mehsud said that a local jirga, or tribal council, has been convened to help restore peace and order.
Journalist among victims
Among the victims was journalist Janan Hussain, General Secretary of Parachinar Press Club, who had recently returned from Malaysia.
Markets and schools closed in Parachinar
Shops and educational institutions in Parachinar remained closed as residents observed mourning and protests.
Iranian President condemns terrorist attack
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the terrorist attack and expressed solidarity with Pakistan, stating, “The Islamic Republic of Iran stands shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan in combating terrorism.”
Russia strongly condemns terrorism
Russian Embassy Spokesperson: Strongly condemned the attack, offering condolences to the victims' families and prayers for the injured’s recovery.
Reporter: Mohsin Shirazi