Rival Kurram tribes agree to 'indefinite ceasefire' after deadly clashes

• Fresh peace deal reached during commissioner-led Jirga.
• Over 100 individuals, including tribal elders, attend Jirga.
• CM’s sincere efforts behind peace in region, says Barrister Saif.

In a major development, rival tribes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Kurram district have finally agreed to an “indefinite ceasefire” after deadly clashes that claimed at least 133 lives, announced the Kohat Region Commissioner on Friday.

The development came following a grand Jirga, organised to ensure sustainable peace in the restive territory, under the chairmanship of the Kohat region commissioner. 

The jirga was attended by over 100 individuals, including elders, from the rival tribes.

The recent episode of clashes triggered by ambush on two separate convoys under police escort, resulting in 52 deaths on November 21. Subsequently, clashes between the warring clans escalated despite efforts to broker a ceasefire.

The violence claimed at least 133 lives and injured 186 others, in total.

In a statement issued today, the commissioner said: "Tribal elders from both sides have agreed on an indefinite ceasefire," adding that the parties have expressed resolved to "sit together" to establish lasting peace in the region.  

Meanwhile, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur hailed the peace efforts of the grand jirga and met the members of the body, said adviser to KP Chief Minister on Information Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif quoting the provincial chief executive.

“Over 100 people from both sides attended the jirga,” he said, adding that it was decided that firing posts would be vacated until the final decision of the jirga.

Taking credit of the development, Barrister Saif said: “Peace has been restored in the region due to the sincere efforts of the CM.”

It is pertinent to mention here that a ceasefire was reached on November 24 between the warring tribes but it could not last long as violence gripped the region again.

Later, the rival tribes in the violence-hit district agreed on a ceasefire deal again on December 1 after the deadly clashes. This time, the tribes agreed to a peace deal for indefinite period.

Last week, KP CM Gandapur emphasised the need for establishing peace in the area and ordered authorities to demolish dugouts of rival tribes and seize their weapons.

The provincial chief executive had issued the directives during a grand jirga, organised in Kohat district, which was attended by elders of the rival tribes.

He also directed the authorities concerned to take measures for the "immediate resettlement" of homeless victims in Kurram. "People’s loss of life and property should be compensated immediately," he added.

Furthermore, he said, the weapons in the possession of the rival tribes should be immediately seized. "The administration will keep those weapons in its custody until peace is restored," he had added.

Violence erupted in the district after ambushes on two separate convoys travelling under police escort on November 21.

Since then, violence between the feuding communities escalated, with police struggling to maintain the law and order situation.

Citizens were facing trouble due to scarcity of different commodities, including food items, medicines and fuel, as Parachinar-Peshawar highway was closed amid skirmishes.