PESHAWAR/DI KHAN:
Road closures in Kurram prevented the second convoy of trucks, carrying food and other daily items, from reaching the besieged district, where a group of police officers came under fire, officials said Friday and local sources.
According to the district administration, local residents had staged a sit-in at Mandori in Lower Kurram to press their demands. Due to the sit-in, the Tal-Parachinar highway was closed, he said, adding that negotiations were underway with the protest leaders in Tal Cantt for the reopening of the road.
According to Kurram police, trucks loaded with goods could not reach Upper Kurram as permission for the Lower Kurram road was not issued. They added that currently the convoy was stuck in Tal, Hangu district. The convoy was due to resume its journey on Saturday.
People are facing difficulties due to the delay in the arrival of the convoy,” said Haji Imdad, president of the Kurram union. “There is a severe shortage of edible items, medicines, fuel and other articles of daily use in the region. district for which 500 freight trucks are needed.
The Kurram district administration said the government was taking steps in collaboration with all concerned institutions and jirga members, including talks with the sit-in protesters in Mandori, to clear the road and restore a regular traffic.
Meanwhile, a police armored personnel carrier (APC) came under fire near Balashkhel check post in Lower Kurram, but fortunately there were no casualties. Police said the shots came from a passing vehicle, which did not stop at the station for a search.
The head of the local police station, Fazal Karim, and other police officers were present in the APC vehicle when it came under fire. Local tribesmen said it was a misunderstanding as the passengers in the vehicle mistook the police officers for their enemies in disguise and did not stop, but instead fired.
