KP minister dismisses reports of attack on helicopter in Parachinar

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Law Minister Aftab Alam on Saturday dismissed the media reports regarding an attack on the provincial government's helicopter in Parachinar.

"No incident of firing at helicopter took place and entire delegation is completely safe," Aftab Alam told Geo News.

Earlier, it was reported that a helicopter carrying a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government delegation from Peshawar to Kurram district reportedly came under attack in Parachinar.

The helicopter landed safely after the firing incident while all delegation members remained unhurt, sources told Geo News.

The sources said that the delegation — headed by KP Law Minister Aftab Alam — was tasked by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to visit Kurram district following deadly gun attack on a convoy of vehicles which left 44 dead and scores wounded.

Other members of the delegation include KP Chief Secretary Aslam Chaudhry, Kohat Division commissioner, Kohat Deputy Inspector General (DIG), and others, they added.

It is noteworthy to mention here that CM Gandapur had instructed the delegation to thoroughly monitor the developments and present a report besides ordering to activate Jirga to improve law and order situation in Kurram two days ago.

However, the delegation had failed to reach Kurram due to closure of roads leading to the district following a dispute between two rival groups.

It has been several months since the district was marred with clashes between various tribes and parties. The clashes have claimed dozens of lives.

The violence has led to frequent closure of main and link roads as well as border with Afghanistan, causing immense troubles for the local residents.

After incidents of firing on passenger vehicles last month, the main Parachinar-Peshawar and other routes had been closed owing to fear of more such incidents, as violence continues to haunt the region.

September clashes saw 60 people's deaths and dozens of injuries, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had said.

The dispute involved two rival tribes who fought over a piece of land. In August, the two sides had reached a two-month ceasefire after the armed clashes resulted in 50 casualties and wounded 226 others.