Pakistan: At least 50 killed as gunmen open fire on passenger vehicles in Kurram

At least 50 people were killed and over 20 others were injured when gunmen opened fire on passenger vehicles in the Kurram tribal district of northwestern Pakistan on Thursday. 

The attack targeted two convoys of passenger vehicles travelling between Peshawar and Parachinar. 

The chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, described the attack as a "major tragedy". 

The militants ambushed the vehicles in the Kurram district of restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. 

The vehicles were travelling in a convoy from Parachinar to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when gunmen opened fire, the officials said. 

Reportedly, 50 people, including eight women and children, and 20 others were killed in the attack.

Most of the victims belonged to the Shia community, said officials.   

According to eyewitnesses, around 10 gunmen opened fire from both sides of the road at the vehicles. 

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur strongly condemned the attack and directed a delegation comprising the provincial law minister, lawmakers from the region, and the chief secretary to immediately visit Kurram to assess the situation and submit a report.

He also instructed relevant authorities to work on establishing a Provincial Highways Police unit to secure all roads in the province. 

Gandapur extended condolences to the bereaved families and announced financial assistance for the families of the victims.

"Targeting innocent civilians is extremely tragic and condemnable. Those involved in this incident will not escape the grip of the law," he said.

President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the attack. Zardari expressed strong disapproval of the violence targeting civilians.