Another five dead in Kurram clashes

Week-long clashes result in 46 deaths and nearly 100 injuries

DI KHAN:

Clashes between warring clans continued in various areas of the Kurram tribal district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Friday as five more people were killed and 12 injured.

A man was injured in firing on an ambulance, while two attackers were wounded when security personnel shot back. In total, 46 people have been killed and 98 injured in the clashes that have been going on for a week.

Police told The Express Tribune that armed clashes have been ongoing for a week at various places. During these clashes, both the sides used small and heavy arms.

They said that these armed groups were even not sparing ambulances with security forces escorts coming from Peshawar. Due to the clashes, the main road from Parachinar to Peshawar and Pak-Afghan Kharlachi border have been closed for traffic, creating a shortage of foodstuffs, fuel and medicines.

Private Schools Association Chairman Muhammad Hayat Khan said that due to the clashes, education institutions in the city and other areas of the district have been closed for a week.

A tribal elder, Malik Saleem Khan, said the fighting was causing casualties and destroyinag the peace of the area. On the other hand, the district administration, police, military leadership and tribal elders are making efforts for a ceasefire.

It may be recalled that the clashes started between two families over the construction of a bunker a week ago in the Bosehra area of Upper Kurram, and have now spread over the district.

On the other hand, tank patrols have also been initiated in the district to control the situation.

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.