KURRAM: Violence between tribal factions in District Kurram entered its eighth consecutive day on Thursday, raising the death toll to 107, despite a recently announced ceasefire. Fresh skirmishes claimed five more lives and left nine injured, according to local police.
The latest wave of violence persists despite a 10-day truce agreed upon by feuding tribes just a day earlier. A statement from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister’s office confirmed the ceasefire, stating it came into effect on Wednesday. However, enforcement of the agreement remains uncertain as tensions continue.
Deadly Clashes and Mounting Casualties
Since November 21, 52 lives were lost in a single ambush on a convoy, contributing to the total of 107 fatalities. Police report that ongoing clashes in recent days have resulted in an additional 55 deaths and injuries to over 140 people.
The district administration revealed that the violence has disrupted life across the region. The vital Parachinar-Peshawar road has been closed for eight days, halting trade at the Kharlachi border with Afghanistan. Internet and mobile services are also suspended, further isolating residents.
Efforts for Peace
Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud stated that a jirga of elders from neighboring areas, including Hangu, Orakzai, and Kohat, is traveling to Parachinar to mediate. Efforts are underway to fully implement the ceasefire, with local authorities taking steps to restore order.
Despite these efforts, tensions remain high in Kurram, a region with a long history of tribal disputes. Police have struggled to contain violence since the district’s merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018.
Previous Ceasefire Attempts
Clashes have been a recurring issue in Kurram. Last month, 16 people, including women and children, were killed in a similar conflict. Between July and October, 79 lives were lost in tribal violence, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
Provincial officials had negotiated a week-long truce earlier this month, but it failed to hold. A high-powered delegation led by Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, alongside other senior officials, had brokered the agreement. However, ongoing mistrust between the factions continues to challenge the peace process.
Call for Stability
As the death toll rises and critical infrastructure remains disrupted, local and provincial authorities face mounting pressure to resolve the conflict and restore stability to Kurram. For now, the region remains gripped by uncertainty as residents hope for the ceasefire to hold.
