—— KP govt criticized for not ensuring peace in the district
KURRAM: The death toll from a week of violence in Kurram surged to 76 as sporadic clashes continued on wednesday, officials told media. Three more people have been killed in reprisal attacks, which have been ongoing since last Thursday when around 40 passengers travelling in a convoy of vehicles were killed in a deadly ambush in the Mandori Charkhel area of Lower Kurram district.
Two days after the attack, 21 people were killed in arson and gunfights in Bagan village of Lower Kurram.
Clashes have continued since then, despite a tenuous ceasefire brokered by the authorities between the warring parties on Sunday.
According to officials, sporadic fighting continued on Tuesday in the Ghozaghari, Matasanagar and Kunj Alizai areas. The fighting left three people dead, while six were injured.
Officials also told media that three gunship helicopters were targeted by the miscreants entrenched in Chardeval and Jalmay villages in the Alizai area of Lower Kurram. However, no casualties have been reported so far.
Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud told Dawn that a grand jirga, comprising elders from Hangu, Orakzai and Kohat districts, will visit the violence-hit district for fresh mediation to end hostilities.
The Kohat division commissioner will lead the jirga.
The closure of roads leading to Parachinar has resulted in a shortage of medicines, Dr Mir Hassan Khan, the medical superintendent of the district headquarters hospital, told media.
He said it was becoming difficult for doctors to treat injured people due to the shortage of medicines, and “people are losing their lives”. Mahmood Khan, an elder of the Hamzakhel village, criticised the provincial government for the uptick in violence and said all top officials left for Islamabad soon after brokering the ceasefire on Sunday.
Earlier, A grand peace jirga was convened at the Kohat Commissioner House bringing together influential tribal elders, alongside key government officials. to deliberate over the prevailing situation in Kurram district and devise a roadmap for enduring peace.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhary, K-P Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Khan Gandapur, Kohat Division Commissioner Syed Motasim Billah Shah, and community leaders were among those who attended.
Addressing the Jirga, K-P CS Nadeem Aslam Chaudhary underscored the critical importance of restoring peace and stability in Kurram district. He reiterated the government’s strong commitment to ensuring the rule of law. He emphasised that the consultative process with local elders was integral to crafting a sustainable peace framework, and assured participants that the government would implement their suggestions and recommendations, effectively. Reflecting on recent incidents in Kurram, the CS condemned the violence unequivocally. “What transpired in Kurram district is unacceptable and stands in stark contrast to the principles of a civilised society,” he said.
The chief secretary added that such acts of inhumanity must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
“Anti-state and anti-social elements responsible for unrest in Kurram district will be brought to justice,” he stated firmly. –Agencies
