ISLAMABAD: The United States Embassy in Pakistan has strongly condemned deadly gun attack in Pakistan’s north western Kurram district which claimed 42 lives.
“The United States joins the Government of Pakistan in condemning the horrific attack in Kurram that killed dozens of innocent Pakistanis and critically injured many more. Our sympathies and condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and we wish the injured a full and speedy recovery,” U.S. Mission Spokesperson Jonathan Lalley in a statement said.
It further said the Pakistani people deserve to live free from harm, danger, and threat, and to feel protected and secure in their daily lives.
“The United States will remain a steadfast partner as Pakistan works to ensure the safety and security of all its citizens. We stand in solidarity with Pakistan and the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in this difficult time,” the statement said.
Meanwhile the death toll from gun attack in northwest Pakistan has risen to 42. Armed men on Thursday opened fire on passenger vehicles travelling with police escorts in Kurram, a district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghanistan border.
Eyewitnesses say that unknown persons came in a vehicle and started firing at the passenger vans with automatic weapons. They said the firing continued for half an hour.
Kurram is a mountainous area that shares a long border with Afghanistan with a population of 619,553 persons.
Earlier the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Pakistan had condemned the terrorist attack. In a statement, the Iranian embassy expressed sincere condolences to the government and people of Pakistan particularly the families who lost loved ones.
“Terrorism is a common threat against the entire region and the world and is condemned in all its dimensions and shapes and in all places,” it noted.
The embassy of the Russian Federation on X also expressed its shock at the attack. “We strongly condemn this brutal attack and express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. We pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured,” the statement said.
Kurram district has been marred with clashes between various tribes and parties for the past several months. The clashes have claimed dozens of lives.
The violence has led to frequent closure of major and link roads as well as the border with Afghanistan, causing immense troubles for the local residents.
Last month 12 people were killed in shooting incidents in Kunj Alizai area of Kurram district.
