Death toll in tribal clashes in Kurram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rises to 11 with 2 more lives lost
The ongoing conflict between two tribes over a parcel of land in the Kurram tribal district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa resulted in two additional fatalities on Tuesday, bringing the total number of casualties to 11.
The hostilities commenced five days ago in the Boshehra Dandar region and subsequently extended to Khar Kallay, Baleshkhel, Pewar, Gidu, Teri Mengal, Karman Para Chamkani, Maqbal, and Kunj Alizai.
The affected communities are grappling with a persistent scarcity of essential provisions such as food, medicine, and fuel due to the blockade of roadways. As a consequence, educational institutions have been forced to close, and the normal rhythm of life has been disrupted.
In the preceding day, demonstrations took place in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and other regions of the nation in response to the tense circumstances unfolding in Kurram.
On Tuesday, confrontations were documented in Pewar, Gidu, Baleshkhel, Khar Kallay, Sadda, Chamkani, and Kunj Alizai. Dr. Qaiser Abbas Banghash, the Medical Superintendent of Kurram District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ), confirmed the updated death toll to Dawn.com and revealed that thus far, 67 individuals have sustained injuries in these clashes.
Meanwhile, Kurram’s Deputy Commissioner, Syed Saiful Islam Shah, declared that collaborative efforts were underway with tribal leaders to cease the ongoing clashes.
The minister expressed that despite the establishment of ceasefire accords in various parts of the district, they were sorrowfully being breached.
Sajid Hussain Turi, the Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, personally engaged in negotiations with the aim of attaining a ceasefire. He revealed that Kohat Commissioner Muhammad Ali Shah and other police officials had arrived in Parachinar. The minister affirmed, “We shall promptly reinstate peace in the area, and armed forces will be deployed in the conflict zones.”
He further stated, “The persistent violation of ceasefire agreements has impeded the restoration of control over the situation.” The minister urgently appealed to the provincial and federal governments to take immediate action to halt the clashes. He underscored the necessity of addressing those who persistently defy the ceasefire agreements.
In the early hours of the day, leaders of the Awami National Party (ANP) staged a sit-in outside the Parachinar Press Club.
During an interview with Dawn.com, Noshi Banghash, an ANP leader, expressed disappointment that neither the federal nor provincial governments had acknowledged the clashes and the loss of lives in Kurram.
He cautioned that if immediate action was not taken, nationwide protests would ensue.
Meanwhile, Tanveer Hussain, a member of civil society, highlighted how the clashes had spread fear and panic among the district’s populace. He remarked, “The reverberation of missiles and rockets echoes throughout the district.”
Furthermore, he drew attention to the scarcity of vital medicines and essential food items in the area due to road blockades. Hussain added, “The government should display compassion towards the residents and swiftly bring these clashes to an end.”
Simultaneously, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed concern over the grave clashes, emphasizing the worrisome reports of escalating militancy contributing to local conflicts.
The HRCP insisted, “The government must promptly commit to resolving all sectarian differences through peaceful means and restore law and order in this region.”
HRCP is deeply concerned by reports of civil unrest in #Kurram, incl. violence perpetrated by rival sects, which have not only led to at least 9 deaths, but also interrupted access to schools and curtailed freedom of movement, especially that of the local Shia community. 1/n
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) July 11, 2023
“We would like to remind the government that back in 2018, it made a commitment to integrate the recently merged districts and ensure the fundamental rights of all citizens, including the right to life, security, access to healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities. Unfortunately, this promise remains unfulfilled, despite the allocation of funds through the Accelerated Implementation Programme,” stated the HRCP.