DC's convoy attacked in bid to sabotage Kurram peace deal

Javedullah Mehsud injured in assault Relief trucks halted as precautionary measure

DERA ISMAIL KHAN:

A peace deal between the warring tribes of Kurram tribal district was shaken on Saturday when unidentified gunmen ambushed an official convoy, injuring six people, among them the top administrator of the region.

The brazen attack – which came three days after a grand Jirga brokered the peace agreement – took place in Bagan, the area where a deadly ambush on a convoy of passenger vehicles triggered the latest round of sectarian violence in the volatile region in November last year.

At least 130 people have been killed in the district which remains cut off from the rest of the country as the only highway leading to Kurram from Peshawar has been closed due to hostilities. This has led to shortages of food and medical supplies in the district.

On Wednesday, the K-P government announced the signing of a peace agreement in which the rival tribes agreed to bury the hatchets.

However, on Saturday as Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud, escorted by paramilitary troops and police, was travelling to negotiate with participants of a protest sit-in in the Bagan area when his convoy was ambushed, the district administration said.

Though the peace agreement was signed, the main sit-in outside the Parachinar Press Club persists as its organisers have decided to stay put until the Thal-Parachinar road is reopened and secured. Another protest, demanding compensation for damages caused to homes and markets, also continues in the Bagan area.

DC Mehsud was wounded "along with two other administration officials, two policemen and two Frontier Corps soldiers," Commissioner Motasim Billah told AFP. He said the attack took place around 11am. The injured included the deputy commissioner's guard, Misal Khan.

Both the deputy commissioner and his guard were airlifted to the CMH Peshawar.

The incident occurred as an aid convoy carrying food and other basic necessities was expected to leave for Kurram.

The deputy commissioner "came under an attack by unidentified miscreants" but his "condition is out of danger" provincial government spokesperson Barrister Ali Saif said in a statement. "The convoy has been temporarily halted due to security concerns," he added.

Earlier, speculations were rife that the attack was perpetrated by the warring factions. However, the regional police officer clarified that the firing was carried out by unidentified men. He said a manhunt has been launched for the attackers.

Authorities have identified the attackers involved in the assault on the Deputy Commissioner. Government sources confirmed that there are five suspects and that facilitators are also involved in the attack. A case has been registered against them.

An important security meeting has been called in Kohat on Sunday (today), which will be presided over by the K-P IGP and attended by the RPO and DPO.

Meanwhile, K-P chief secretary will visit Kohat on Sunday. Residents of the area and tribal elders will also be consulted for assistance in apprehending the culprits.

President Asif Ali Zardari stressed the need for strict action against those harming the peace in Kurram as he condemned the incident.

"Miscreants are enemies of the people who want to spread chaos," he was quoted as saying in a post on X by PPP. "The people should not let the miscreants succeed in their nefarious purposes."

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the incident and prayed for the recovery of the injured.

"An attempt was made to damage the peace agreement," Shehbaz said in a statement issued by the PM's Office.

"Those who disrupt law and order, and enemies of humanity will not be allowed to succeed. The government and security forces are actively working against terrorists," PM Shehbaz said.