Toll rises to 41 as 11 more die in Kurram violence

PARACHINAR: The death toll rose to 41 after 11 more people lost their lives and 15 sustained injuries in clashes between rival tribes in various areas of Kurram tribal district on Thursday. Overall reports said 85 others have been injured.

The rival tribes used heavy and light weapons against each other in the clashes triggered by a land dispute and construction of trenches in Boshehra and its surrounding areas.

The clashes began over a disputed piece of land and construction of trenches some six days ago and has continued unabated since then.

In retaliation, the tribes in central Kurram launched an armed offensive against the tribes in Balishkhel area, which intensified the violence and spread to Pewar, Teri Mangal, Kanj Alizai, Maqbal, Para Chamkani, Karman, Sadda, Balishkhel, Sangeena, Khar Killay and other areas.

The main Parachinar-Peshawar Road and other link roads also remained blocked for vehicular traffic, which created great hardships for passengers and motorists.

Similarly, educational institutions remained shut due to the ongoing clashes between the rival tribes. Due to closure of roads and markets, people faced severe difficulties, including shortage of food items, medicines and fuel.

Elders belonging to Turi-Bangash tribes have called for immediate action from the authorities to resolve the issue amicably. Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud said that negotiations were going on through tribal elders and jirga members to end the clashes between the warring tribes. He said that several attempts had been made for a ceasefire, and efforts would continue until peace was restored.

Meanwhile, separate jirgas of different tribes were convened that discussed ways and means to effect a ceasefire and restore a lasting peace in the area. The elders warned that if the district administration and other institutions failed to end the clashes, the tribes would take own measures to restore peace.

Addressing a tribal jirga in Parachinar, tribal leaders Jalal Bangash, Engr Hamid Hussain, a Member of the National Assembly and parliamentary leader of the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), Malik Zaman Hussain and others said that no one would benefit from the ongoing conflict. They said that a minor issue between two families escalated into violent clashes due to the negligence of the administration and other responsible authorities. Ulema and elders from various tribes also participated in the jirga.

Also, another jirga was held in Sadda, the lower part of Kurram district. The jirga was also attended by Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud and other officials. The elders, including former MNA Saleem Khan, Malik Fakhar Zaman Bangash, Malik Niaz Badshah and others called for taking urgent measures to effect a ceasefire. They noted that the government’s past efforts to enforce ceasefires were more stringent, but the current lack of firm action had resulted in escalating clashes. The elders suggested that during ceasefires, any violations should be met with the full use of government resources to ensure peace in the region.