The vehicles were ambushed in Bagan town of Kurram district, and the victims "were all Shias", a security official said.

Earlier, local administration official Fazal Hussain told AFP that they were heading in a three-vehicle caravan from Parachinar to Peshawar.

"The attackers came in two vehicles. They opened fire and fled, leaving eight people dead, including a woman and a child," he said.

Khalid Umarzai, another senior administrative official, confirmed the incident and said the attackers also kidnapped over 20 Shas travelling in three coaches before fleeing.