Kurram convoy attack death toll rises to eight

With the recovery of the bodies of four missing drivers on Friday, the death toll from the attack on an aid caravan in the Bagan area of the Kurram district rose to eight, including two security personnel, the Kurram district administration said.

It said that more than 100 assailants attacked the convoy, carrying relief supplies to Parachinar via Bagan in Thursday afternoon. The additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of Kurram said the assailants fired rockets and used automatic weapons that damaged three vehicles.

After the attack that lasted for five hours, five drivers went missing. Of them, four bodies had been recovered, while the whereabouts of one driver was still unknown. The bodies of the slain drivers were shifted to the Alizai Hospital in lower Kurram.

However, a local police officer, while talking to AFP on condition of anonymity, put the death toll from the attack at 10– two security personnel, four drivers and four civilians. the officer said that up to six drivers were kidnapped.

In the retaliatory firing from the security forces, the ADC said, the six attackers were killed. He added that the caravan of 35 vehicles – carrying aid supplies, such as medicines, vegetables, fruits and other edible items – was being escorted by police, FC and other security forces.

The latest violent incident stoked fear and uncertainty in the district. After the incident, the process of dismantling bunkers has been halted for the time being, while the supply of essential items was suspended.

Meanwhile, the district administration had released the pictures of the assailants and the security forces launched an operation to apprehend them. Also, the funeral prayers of two martyred security personnel were offered in Thal Scouts, after which the bodies were sent to their ancestral areas.

Kurram has been wracked by violence for decades, but around 150 people have been killed in a fresh round of fighting since November. A peace deal was brokered between the warring tribes a few days ago but the recent attack left the question mark on the efficacy of the agreement.

(WITH INPUTS FROM AFP)