AC injured in Kurram firing

PARACHINAR/ KOHAT/ RAWALPINDI: An assistant commissioner (revenue) was injured in a firing incident near Boshehra area in Upper Kurram as violent clashes erupted between rival groups on Friday, official sources said.

According to the police and district administration sources, the exchange of gunfire began on Friday morning, initially injuring two persons identified as Gul Ali Turi and Abbas Ali.

They were rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital, Parachinar.

Following the incident, Assistant Commissioner (Revenue) Saeed Manan reached the area along with police and administration officials to mediate and enforce a ceasefire.

While security personnel were being deployed, unidentified assailants opened fire, injuring Saeed Manan, who was rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital, Parachinar. Official sources said that two cops were also injured in the firing incident.

The police launched an investigation into the incident.

Dr Mir Hassan Jan, Medical Superintendent of DHQ Hospital Parachinar, said the injured assistant commissioner was flown to Peshawar via helicopter after treatment.

Tribal leader Shafiq Turi, who was present at the scene, stated that the firing occurred after the ceasefire was established and security forces were being deployed in the area.

This is the second high-profile attack on government officials in Kurram district in recent weeks.

On January 4, Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud was targeted in an attack in the Bagan area in Lower Kurram, where he and seven others sustained injuries.

The latest incident has dealt a blow to ongoing peace efforts in the region.

The security situation in Kurram remained highly volatile, with ongoing clashes and roadblocks causing severe disruptions.

The main highway and other key routes have been closed for over four months, leaving residents struggling with shortage of food, medicines, and essentials.

Meanwhile, a grand peace jirga was held in Kohat, where representatives from both sides discussed measures to restore stability.

Adviser to Chief Minister on Information Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring peace in Kurram district.

Addressing the jirga at the Commissioner’s Office in Kohat, he said that the ongoing conflict was not a religious or sectarian issue but a result of hatred.

Saif urged all stakeholders to recognise the consequences of violence, saying that no external force was responsible for the loss of lives and property; rather, it was internal divisions that fueled this crisis.

He stressed that war and hatred brought destruction, adding that progress could be achieved by setting aside hatred and embracing unity.

“The problem is not religious; it is our personal hatred. When we allow hatred to consume us, we forget the teachings of Islam and the values of humanity,” Saif said, adding, “The solution lies in rejecting hatred and promoting love. The day we choose peace over hostility, we will no longer have to mourn the loss of our people or rebuild our damaged communities.”

He condemned the repeated cycles of violence, urging participants to reflect on past mistakes and commit to a future of coexistence.

The CM aide acknowledged the peace agreement facilitated by the government and signed by both parties, stressing that it was developed with the consensus of local leaders and stakeholders. However, he expressed concern over attempts by certain elements to disrupt peace efforts through misinformation and use of violence.

“The government has played its role as a facilitator, and we stand by our commitment to implementing the agreement,” he said. “However, lasting peace requires the active participation and responsibility of the people. The identification and handing over of miscreants to law enforcement is crucial for stability.”

Addressing concerns about governance and security, he assured that the government was fully engaged in ensuring the safety of the region. He cited recent sacrifices made by law enforcement personnel, including a district commissioner who was injured while working towards peace.

Saif confirmed that the government had allocated funds for relief efforts, including financial assistance for victims and businesses affected by the conflict.

Earlier, Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry commended the elders and stakeholders for their efforts in maintaining dialogue and striving for peace.

The chief secretary reiterated the government’s full support in implementing the peace agreement and assured that all legitimate concerns of the communities would be addressed.

The chief secretary said that the attack on the assistant commissioner was made in a bid to disturb peace in Kurram.

He acknowledged the suffering endured by the people of Kurram and assured them that financial compensation for victims was in process. He announced that the provincial cabinet had already allocated relief funds, including Rs160 million for medical aid and Rs120 million for business rehabilitation.

He highlighted the role of security forces and civil administration in restoring peace, noting that their sacrifices should not be overlooked. “Our officials, including the deputy commissioner and law-enforcement personnel, have put their lives on the line to protect the people,” he said.

The chief secretary urged the tribal elders to play an active role in implementing the agreement and ensuring that miscreants do not derail the peace process. He stressed that only through collective effort can trust be rebuilt among the communities. “Peace is not the responsibility of the government alone, it requires the sincere commitment of all stakeholders,” he remarked.

The inspector general police, commissioner Kohat Division, senior government officials, tribal elders, and community leaders attended the jirga.

They reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the peace agreement and restoring stability in the region.

Meanwhile, security forces killed 10 Khwarij in various encounters and intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on January 30 and 31.

On reported presence of Khwarij, an IBO was conducted by the security forces in general area Khulachi, district Dera Ismail Khan. During the operation, troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location and resultantly four Khwarij were sent to hell.

In four separate encounters in North Waziristan district, fire exchange took place between the security forces and Khwarij in general area Datta Khel, Hassan Khel, Ghulam Khan and Mir Ali. Resultantly, six Khwarij were successfully neutralized by the troops.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed Khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in these areas against the security forces as well as killing of innocent civilians.

Sensitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Kharji found in the area as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement said.