PARACHINAR, Pakistan — Local officials have reported that the fatality count from a recent rocket and gun assault on an aid convoy in the volatile northwestern region of Pakistan has risen to at least five. This tragic incident occurred on Thursday when trucks loaded with essential supplies, including food and medicine for countless distressed residents, were en route to Kurram. This district has been significantly affected by sectarian unrest within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Authorities originally confirmed the death of a security officer as a result of the attack; however, Shaukat Ali, a district administrator in Kurram, provided an update on Friday indicating that a second officer had succumbed to injuries in a hospital. Additionally, the remains of three missing truck drivers were discovered. Ali mentioned that there are still five drivers unaccounted for, and their vehicles had been set ablaze by the attackers.

As of now, no group has taken responsibility for the violence that erupted in Kurram, an area that has witnessed ongoing strife between Shiite and Sunni communities since July 2024. The situation escalated significantly in November 2024 when assailants targeted passenger vehicles, leading to the deaths of 52 individuals, primarily belonging to the Shiite community. In total, it has been reported that at least 130 casualties have occurred due to violence in the region since then.

This recent assault followed weeks after a ceasefire agreement was achieved between local tribal leaders, raising concerns about the sustainability of peace efforts. While Shiite Muslims constitute a significant part of Kurram, they remain a minority in the wider context of Pakistan, a country that predominantly follows Sunni Islam. The Kurram area has a longstanding history of sectarian clashes, often instigated by militant Sunni factions that specifically target the Shiite minority.