Another 14 lay dead in Kurram clashes

Death toll jumps over 24 hours; 28 killed over 5 days

DI KHAN:

As many as 28 people lay dead and more than 45 are injured as clashes in the merged district of Kurram continue for a fifth consecutive day over the construction of bunkers in the area. Reports confirmed that the conflict resulted in fierce gun battles in the areas of Balishkhel, Kharkalay, Bagki, Gram Pada, Kunj Alizai, Muqbal, and Pewar Tari Mengal.

While elders from lower and upper Kurram have agreed to a ceasefire to stop the fighting, the conflict has not ceased, and the shootouts continue around the Balishkhel bunker despite the announcement. Peace negotiations through tribal councils (jirgas) have repeatedly failed. The clashes have severely disrupted daily life, and the local population is facing significant difficulties.

The visit of Kohat Commissioner Mutasim Billah and Kohat Regional DIG Sher Akbar Khan to Kurram district has also yielded no positive outcome. Moreover, missiles continue to be fired from unknown directions towards Parachinar city from the area of Pared and towards Sadda from Balishkhel. Last night, attacks continued in the Sangina area.

The deceased include Syed Qabil Hussain, Irfan Haider, Subedar Syed Shahzaib, Syed Rehman Ali, Intizar Hussain, Najeeb Hussain, Sadaf Ali, Hasnain Ali, Syed Ashiq Hussain, Riaz Hussain, Muhammad Hussain, Arman Hussain, Shabab Ali, Qaiser Hussain, Maqsood Ali, Hussain Abbas, Noor Afzal, Nadeem Hussain, Syed Nasir Hussain, Haider Abbas, Syed Shujaat, Muhammad Hussain, and Iqrar Hussain.

The injured include Shaukat Ali, Nake Nam Hussain, Lal Hussain, Suleiman, Hasnain, Syed Zeeshan, Muhammad Qasim, Riaz Hussain, Syed Maysam Hussain, Johar Hussain, Abrar Hussain, Jawad Hussain, Zameen Hussain, Bakht Ali, Mudassir Hussain, Masooma Bibi, Syed Mudassir Hussain, and Ameen Hussain. However, the names of other casualties and injured individuals have not yet been identified.

After a period relative calm, it was reported on Monday that at least ten people were killed and dozens wounded as fresh clashes between Shia and Sunni tribes reared their ugly head once again in Upper Kurram. As per Monday's reports, clashes between the rival tribes continued for the third day in Kurram district. Both sides used heavy and automatic weapons against each other. In Monday's clashes, four more people had died, and ten were injured.

Over the first days of fighting, a total of ten people were killed, and 17 injured. According to police and hospital sources, disputes over land between the Boshai and Ahmadzai tribes in Upper Kurram fueled the initial clashes.