Draft:Shia Attack on Bagan (2024)

Shia Attack on Bagan (2024)
Part of Sectarian violence in Pakistan
Location	Bagan, Kurram District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Date	November 23, 2024 Throughout the day
Target	Sunni community, including SSP and TTP members
Attack type	Sectarian violence, retaliation
Deaths	50+ (est.)
Injured	Dozens
Perpetrator	Alleged Shia groups, including Zainabyoun Brigade

The Shia Attack on Bagan (2024) occurred on November 23, 2024, as a retaliatory act following the ambush on a Shia convoy in Kurram District. On November 22, 2024, a Sunni extremist attack, involving members of the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), targeted a Shia convoy traveling to Peshawar, resulting in the deaths of over 40 Shia individuals. The attack left Shia communities enraged and led to the planning of a retaliatory assault. Alleged Shia groups, including members of the Zainabyoun Brigade, launched a coordinated assault on Bagan, a Sunni-majority village. Among the victims were members of the SSP and TTP, with Sunni extremist leader Lal Akbar’s son also killed during the attack. The assault resulted in the destruction of Bagan Bazaar, further escalating sectarian tensions in the region.

Background

The Kurram District in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been a hotspot for sectarian violence, with frequent clashes between Shia and Sunni communities. On November 22, 2024, Sunni militants ambushed a Shia convoy traveling to Peshawar, killing over 40 individuals. This attack, allegedly carried out by members of the SSP and TTP, was viewed as an unprovoked assault on the Shia community. The attack ignited further tensions, leading to retaliatory violence by Shia groups.

The Zainabyoun Brigade, an Iran-linked militia known for its involvement in regional conflicts, was reportedly implicated in the retaliatory attack. Sunni organizations such as SSP and TTP were targeted during the violence, with local Sunni leaders alleging systematic attacks on their members.

The Attack

On November 23, 2024, armed Shia groups, allegedly including members of the Zainabyoun Brigade, launched an assault on Bagan. Eyewitness reports described coordinated attacks targeting Sunni individuals and properties. Among the casualties were prominent SSP figures and local TTP operatives, including **Lal Akbar’s son**, who was reportedly killed during the violence.

Tehran Turi, one of the Shia leaders, allegedly made a statement to the Sunni community prior to the attack: "You target and attack the convoy, I will fire at your villages." This quote further fueled the conflict and emphasized the intensity of the retaliation.

Bagan Bazaar, the economic hub of the village, was set ablaze during the assault. Videos from the scene showed widespread destruction, with dozens of shops and homes engulfed in flames. The attack led to at least 50 deaths, including civilians, SSP members, TTP operatives, and Lal Akbar's son. The market area, central to the village’s economy, was completely destroyed.

Government and Military Response

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government condemned the violence, deploying additional security forces to the region. Curfews were imposed, and military units patrolled the area to prevent further escalation. Despite these measures, the destruction of Bagan Bazaar and the loss of life highlighted the failure of authorities to anticipate and prevent the violence.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a statement urging both communities to maintain peace, while local leaders called for immediate aid to those affected by the violence.

Result

The Shia groups, including the Zainabyoun Brigade, emerged as the perceived victors in this episode of sectarian violence. Bagan Bazaar was left in ruins, with significant economic losses for the Sunni community. The Shia attackers were seen as having achieved their goal of retaliation following the initial convoy ambush. However, this victory further exacerbated the ongoing sectarian divide in the region and raised the specter of continued conflict.

Aftermath

The attack marked a turning point in sectarian relations in Kurram District. The destruction of Bagan Bazaar crippled the local economy, forcing many Sunni families to flee the area. Shia groups, bolstered by their perceived victory, gained a strategic advantage in the region.

The incident also sparked widespread condemnation from human rights organizations, which criticized both the initial convoy ambush and the retaliatory violence. Calls for government intervention to address systemic sectarianism grew louder in the days following the attack.

Reactions

• **Sunni Leaders**: Condemned the attack and accused the government of bias in handling sectarian violence. They demanded compensation for the destruction of Bagan Bazaar and accountability for the deaths of SSP and TTP members, including the loss of Lal Akbar's son.
• **Shia Leaders**: Described the retaliation as a necessary response to years of systemic oppression and the convoy ambush. They called for increased security for Shia communities in Kurram.
• **International Observers**: Expressed concern over the escalation and called for immediate measures to de-escalate sectarian tensions.

See Also

• Sectarian violence in Pakistan
• 2024 Kurram convoy attack
• Kurram District violence
• Shia-Sunni relations in South Asia

External Links

• Sectarian violence in Pakistan
• Coverage of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa violence
• Updates on Pakistan unrest

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