At least six people were killed in an armed attack on a passenger vehicle in Lower Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday, officials confirmed.
Police said unknown gunmen opened fire on the vehicle while it was passing through the area. The victims’ bodies were shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital for legal formalities.
According to law enforcement, the attackers managed to escape after the incident. Security forces launched a search operation to track them down. An investigation is under way to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
The attack has raised concerns about peace in Lower Kurram. The district has witnessed recurring violence in the past, often linked to sectarian and tribal tensions.
Only weeks earlier, local elders had signed a one-year peace agreement in Sadda. The pact was reached in July between Sunni and Tori Bangash tribes during a jirga at the Frontier Corps Fort. District officials and security representatives also supported the truce, which was based on the Kohat Agreement.
Deputy Commissioner Ashfaq Khan described the accord as a milestone for regional stability. He credited tribal elders and security forces for their efforts in restoring order in the region.
The deal was seen as a step towards long-term peace in the troubled district. Both tribes agreed to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than armed confrontation. Authorities had expressed hope that the agreement would prevent further clashes.
However, Wednesday’s attack shows the fragile nature of stability in Lower Kurram. Analysts say such incidents threaten to derail peace efforts and undermine the trust built through recent negotiations.
Security forces have assured residents that operations will continue until those responsible are arrested. Officials also appealed to locals to cooperate with investigators to help maintain peace in the district.
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