Operation launched to bring peace to Kurram

Curfew in Bagan as people relocate to safer places

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DI KHAN/PESHAWAR:

Law-enforcement personnel launched an operation in the Lower Kurram on Sunday, after a high-level meeting of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government decided to take strict action against the miscreants in the troubled district.

Officials in Peshawar said that security forces would be present to help the police and civil administration in the operation against the miscreants. It was stated that three locations in Kurram—Bagan, Mandori, and Chaperi—would be cleared during the operation.

Local population started to relocate to safer places as authorities imposed a curfew in the Bagan area and mounted a search operation, days after a brutal attack on an aid convoy in which a number of people were abducted and six of them were subsequently killed.

Security forces which are receiving assistance from the Kurram police have surrounded four villages in Bagan and taken positions on the main highway. The operation is being conducted at specific locations identified by intelligence agencies.

Armored vehicles and other vehicles are advancing, and security forces have taken control of the bunkers established in the area. Residents have been instructed to remain indoors, and orders have been issued to shoot on sight any miscreants observed in the area.

Before the start of the operation, a high-level meeting was held in Peshawar on the situation of Kurram in which the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government spokesperson, K-P chief secretary, inspector general police (IGP) and other civil and police officers participated.

The meeting decided to take strict action against the miscreants without discrimination. A statement issued after the meeting said the spokesman reiterated the government's resolve to bring "cruel elements" to justice.

"An action against miscreants in the affected areas has become inevitable. The peace agreement will be implemented according to law and Pashtun traditions," he said.

Kurram has long been hit by decades-old sectarian clashes, which have escalated into land disputes and claimed the lives of at least 140 people since November 2024. However, on January 1 the warring tribesmen signed a deal under the auspices of a tribal jirga.

Under the peace agreement, local residents pledged to surrender their weapons to the state in different phases within 15 days while the dismantling of local bunkers is to be completed by February 2025.

However, on January 4, a convoy of former Kurram deputy commissioner Javedullah Mehsud came under attack near the Bagan area, resulting in injuries to the official and six members of his escort.

On January 13, the provincial government dismantled two bunkers out of hundreds established by the two warring factions but on January 16 unidentified gunmen launched a rocket attack on a convoy of 35 vehicles carrying fruits, vegetables, medicines, and other essential items from Thall to the Bagan area.

The miscreant also abducted a number of people who were part of the convoy and a day later dead bodies of six of them were discovered in the Aravali area of Kurram with hands and feet bound. The authorities later announced launching an operation.

According to the K-P government spokesperson, security forces will be present in support to assist the police and civil administration in action against miscreants.

The government, he said, is of the view that some miscreants have infiltrated among the peaceful people, and action will be taken to separate peaceful elements from the miscreants.

"Best alternative accommodation arrangements have been made for the people of the affected areas. The government requests both parties of the Kurram Peace Accord to help the law enforcement agencies in identifying the miscreants in their midst."

The spokesman said the K-P government has been trying to restore peace in Kurram amicably for the past three months. However, in a dastardly attempt, the miscreants attacked the deputy commissioner. The miscreants are also targeting security forces personnel and relief convoys.

The spokesman urged the people to cooperate fully with the security forces in the affected areas.

"The government will soon eliminate the miscreants from the affected areas and restore peace in the area. The government has tried its best to restore peace according to the peace agreement, the people of Kurram want peace and respect and abide by the peace agreement," he added.

Meanwhile, the provincial government's MI-17 helicopter on Sunday made four flights for the Parachiner area of Kurram, transporting a total of 133 individuals.

The first flight carried 3,000 kg of medicines along with four individuals to Parachinar. The second flight transported 44 individuals from Parachinar to Thall, while the third flight brought 34 individuals from Thall to Parachinar. The fourth and final flight carried 35 individuals from Parachinar to Peshawar.

"On the K-P chief minister's special directives, various supplies to protect Kurram residents from the cold were dispatched on Sunday. These included 500 tents, 1,000 mattresses, 1,000 blankets, 500 plastic mats, 500 tarpaulin sheets, 100 search lamps, 100 solar lamps, and other essential items.

"The chief minister noted that the provincial government is well aware of the difficulties faced by the people of the region due to the closure of land routes to Kurram.

"He assured that the provincial government is utilizing all available resources to minimize these hardships. He further stated that the helicopter service will continue until the situation in Kurram normalizes and land routes are restored," said an official statement.