DERA ISMAIL KHAN:
A brief lull in violence in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s restive Kurram district was shattered on Thursday when unidentified gunmen launched a rocket attack on a convoy carrying relief supplies in Parachinar, Bagan region. , killing a member of the security forces and injuring four others, according to police.
As part of a coordinated response, security forces carried out a retaliatory operation, killing six terrorists and injuring ten others, police added.
The district administration said helicopter strikes were carried out against the terrorists.
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.
In December, the provincial government formed a grand jirga (council of elders) to negotiate a ceasefire in the region. Following this progress, a peace agreement was signed between the belligerents on January 1.
As part of the peace deal, local residents pledged to hand over their weapons to the state in different phases within 15 days, while the dismantling of local bunkers must be completed by February 2025.
However, on January 4, a convoy of former Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud was attacked near the Bagan area, injuring the official and five members of his escort.
On Monday, the provincial government dismantled two bunkers out of hundreds established by the two warring factions.
However, the fragile peace in Kurram was short-lived as unidentified gunmen on Thursday launched a rocket attack on a convoy of 35 vehicles carrying fruits, vegetables, medicines and other essential items from Thall to the Bagan region. The convoy was escorted by police, CF and other security personnel.
According to Kurram Additional Deputy Commissioner Shaukat Ali, one security personnel was killed and four others were injured in the attack. He said six terrorists were killed and ten others injured in the retaliation.
Kurram Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ashfaq Khan said this was the third convoy trying to reach the area by road since the last ceasefire.
The attack was also confirmed by local police SHO Afzal Karim.
According to police, six vehicles in the convoy were set on fire and shooting continued in the area.
“Following the attack, 21 trucks withdrew from the area, while others remain stuck,” a senior police official told AFP on condition of anonymity. “Intense gunfire broke out at two other locations after the incident.”
Meanwhile, sources said trucks carrying relief goods, which had returned due to the fragile law and order situation, were looted by locals.
Police added that Bagan residents had shared images of looting on social media.
Kurram continues to face a severe shortage of food, medicines and other essentials due to the ongoing clashes, with main roads leading to Parachinar remaining closed.
A day ago, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the situation in Kurram was “returning to normal” as 25 vehicles of a second convoy carrying essential commodities reached the district.
