Clash During Muharram Procession in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Injures 14 People

A clash broke out during a Muharram procession in Shah Mohammad village, located in the Haripur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The incident resulted in 14 people getting injured, including two policemen and a journalist. The conflict started over barricading a road within the city, leading to stones and chairs being thrown at the procession participants.

Police intervened by using tear gas to disperse the factions involved. The injured were taken to a trauma center and a local hospital for treatment, with one person reported to be in critical condition due to a head injury.

Many on social media have alleged that the attack was carried out by the banned extremist group Sipah-e-Sahaba. In response, security measures have been increased across Pakistan. In Punjab, 502 locations have been designated as sensitive areas, leading to the deployment of army and Rangers personnel. The Punjab government has also enforced Section 144 to maintain public peace and order during Muharram.

Muharram is a significant period for Shia Muslims, but it has often been marred by sectarian violence in Pakistan. Past incidents include a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Quetta in 2007, a bombing in Karachi in 2009, and another attack in Rawalpindi in 2012, all resulting in numerous deaths and injuries. The Pakistani government faces challenges in addressing these threats, with extremist groups exploiting Muharram to spread fear and disorder.

Extremist factions also use social media to propagate hate speech and provoke violence during sensitive religious periods like Muharram, highlighting the need for rigorous monitoring and control measures to maintain peace and stability in the country.