Miscreants set trees on fire in Kurram hill

PARACHINAR: Unidentified miscreants set trees and grasses on fire in the mountainous area of Baghdi located near the Pak-Afghan border in Kurram tribal district, locals said on Sunday.

They said that the local residents rushed to the mountain when they saw flames and smokes of fire and started extinguishing the blaze.

As the local residents started putting out the inferno, they added that unidentified armed men opened fire on them. They claimed that a mortar shell was also fired.

Three persons were injured when they were struck by shrapnel from a mortar shell.

Medical Superintendent of District Headquarters Hospital in Parachinar, Dr Syed Mir Hassan Jan, confirmed that three injured persons had been brought to the hospital, where they were receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, tribal leader Jalal Bangash called on the government to fulfill its responsibilities to quell the clashes once and for all in Kurram tribal district.

Deputy Commissioner of District Kurram, Javedullah Mehsud, said that an investigation into the incident had been initiated.

Meanwhile, over 0.5 people in the area remained stranded and are facing severe difficulties as essential food items, fuel and medicines are running out due to the closure of main Parachinar-Peshawar road and other link roads in the district for the ninth consecutive day.

The Parachinar-Peshawar highway has been blocked for the ninth straight day while the Pak-Afghan Kharlachi border point has also been closed for all kinds of trade and travelling.

As a result, the supply of essential goods, including food, medicines and fuel to upper parts of Kurram district has been suspended. Many schools have also been closed due to the non-availability of petrol and diesel at fuel stations.

Hospital sources said that critical patients, including children, women, and the elderly, who have been referred to Peshawar by doctors, were in a life-threatening situation. No special arrangements have been made for their arrival.