50 Killed, 20 Injured As Passenger Vehicles Ambushed In Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Peshawar: At least 50 people were killed and 20 others injured when several vehicles carrying passengers were targeted by militants in northwest Pakistan on Thursday, officials said.

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

The vehicles were part of a convoy traveling from Parachinar to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, when gunmen opened fire, according to officials.

Armed Gunmen Open Fire at Passenger Vehicles In Pakistan, 50 Killed 

Rescue teams reported that 50 people were killed in the attack, including eight women and five children, with 20 others also fatally wounded.

Most of the victims were from the Shia community, authorities confirmed.

The ambush took place in areas controlled by the Taliban, as reported by a local journalist.

Local media stated that the convoy consisted of more than 200 vehicles.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur strongly condemned the assault and ordered a delegation, including the provincial law minister, local lawmakers, and the chief secretary, to immediately visit Kurram to assess the situation and submit a report.

He also directed the relevant authorities to begin the process of establishing a Provincial Highways Police unit to ensure the safety of roads across the province.

Gandapur extended his condolences to the families of the victims and announced financial support for those affected.

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

(With inputs from agencies)