Beirut bloodshed deepens doubts over port blast probe
One AmericaDec 24, 2021
The Facts
Seven school workers allegedly part of Pakistan’s minority Shiite community were killed in a shooting in Pakistan’s northwestern Kurram district, according to officials. This comes hours after a Sunni staff member at the same school was shot earlier on Thursday in a separate incident.
Police say the later attack — which also left two injured — happened after students finished examinations. All eight casualties from the two incidents were men, including five teachers and three school support staff members.
The Spin
Narrative A
While there's limited information, preliminary evidence indicates that sectarian violence motivated the heinous attack on seven Shiite teachers in northwestern Pakistan. After a Sunni Muslim was killed earlier in the day, gunmen retaliated, killing members of Islam’s other sect. The perpetrators must be held accountable.
Narrative B
While some believe that sectarian animus amid rising tensions in the region caused the shootings, it's very likely that the area’s proximity to Afghanistan could have played a role, as Kurram has seen multiple cross-border terror attacks. Pakistan's government needs to take assertive action to prevent future acts of terrorism.
