In a violent incident that has escalated tensions in Pakistan’s northwestern border region, gunmen attacked and killed a pro-government militia leader along with five others. The assailants reportedly opened fire on the victims, doused their vehicle with fuel, and set it ablaze, according to a senior administration official who spoke to AFP on Thursday under the condition of anonymity. The attack occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, an area that has seen a surge in violence since the Taliban regained control of neighboring Afghanistan in 2021. The official stated that the attackers’ intent was to instill fear, as the bodies of the six victims were completely charred. While no group has claimed responsibility, the official suggested that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, may have orchestrated the attack. The TTP had allegedly demanded extortion money from the militia leader, who refused to comply, leading to his execution. Pakistan has accused the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan of harboring TTP militants and facilitating cross-border attacks, a claim that Kabul denies. The border between the two nations was recently closed following clashes earlier this month, which were triggered by an explosion in Kabul on October 9 that resulted in significant civilian and military casualties on both sides. Afghanistan’s Taliban government blamed Pakistan for the blast and launched a retaliatory offensive along the border. A ceasefire brokered over the weekend remained in effect as of Thursday, with officials from both countries scheduled to meet in Turkey on Saturday to discuss the ongoing tensions.