Five dead, several hurt as tribal clashes erupt in Kurram again

• Members from warring tribes among the dead and injured.
• Residents of Bhagan tribe block main artery in Kurram. 
• Tribal elders urge authorities to take quick action.

PARACHINAR/SADDA: Clashes between rival tribes in different areas of Kurram district have claimed at least five lives and left scores of others wounded, as of Sunday.

Heavy and light arms were used by the tribesmen involved in the ongoing conflict for two days. Dispute over ownership of a land and construction of trenches in Boshehra and its surrounding areas sparked the fight, The News reported. 

The police sources told the publication that the firing took place over construction on a disputed land, which intensified into exchange of heavy fire in the Balishkhel area.

The clashes resulted in losses on both sides. 

Meanwhile,, a Sadda Bazaar market that belonged to one of the tribes involved in the conflict was blown up. Fortunately, no casualty happened in this incident.

Residents of the Bhagan tribe reportedly blocked the main Parachinar-Peshawar artery, creating troubles for commuters.

Elders of Turi-Bangash tribes urged the authorities to take quick action to resolve the issue amicably. They urged the government to take action against the violence mongers and restore law and order in the district.

Meanwhile, member of the National Assembly (MNA) Engineer Hamid Hussain and parliamentary leader of the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) staged a protest sit-in outside the Parachinar Press Club.

He said that the sit-in was meant to draw attention of the high-ups towards the repeated outbreaks of violence in Kurram district. He demanded swift action against those responsible for the clashes and the deteriorating law and order situation in the region.

The clashes over land disputes have been a longstanding issue in the region, often resulting in loss of lives and disruptions to daily life. Local elders and political figures have also urged for a peaceful resolution to the conflicts and stressed the need for restoration of lasting peace in the region.

Moreover, former federal minister Sajid Hussain Turi called on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and asked him to play a part in resolving the volatile situation in Kurram district.

They expressed serious concern over the rising violence and instability in the area and called for urgent and coordinated efforts to restore lasting peace.

During the meeting, Governor Kundi lamented the resurgence of clashes in Parachinar and termed it regrettable. He criticised the provincial government’s “criminal negligence” in handling the security situation.

He believed that the provincial government had failed to prioritise peace and the well-being of its citizens.

CM Gandapur takes notice of Kurram situation

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has taken notice of the grave situation in Kurram.

Home & Tribal Affairs Department, on directive of the chief minister, wrote a letter to the Kohat commissioner and regional police officer, seeking resolution of the crisis.

The department mentioned that it had been about a year since the issues of law and order were taking place and they were not being resolved permanently in the district.

“The issues are being settled temporarily through actions of jirgas and institutes,” it said, directing to hold a grand jirga to peacefully resolve the strife.

“Tribal elders, members of the national and provincial assemblies as well as representatives of the local government should be invited in the jirga. After convening the jirga, the warring parties' demands should be submitted to the government,” the department said.

Proposals should also be made to the provincial government regarding the conflicts' permanent resolution, it added.