Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Law Minister Aftab Alam on Saturday refuted media reports claiming that the provincial government’s helicopter had come under attack in Parachinar.
“No firing incident targeting the helicopter occurred, and the entire delegation is safe,” Alam clarified.
Earlier, reports suggested that a helicopter carrying a KP government delegation from Peshawar to Kurram district was allegedly fired upon in Parachinar. Despite the claims, the helicopter landed safely, with all delegation members unharmed, according to sources.
The delegation, led by Aftab Alam, was tasked by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to visit Kurram following a deadly attack on a convoy that killed 44 people and injured many others. Other officials included Chief Secretary Aslam Chaudhry, Kohat Division Commissioner, and Kohat DIG.
CM Gandapur had directed the team to assess the situation and submit a report, emphasizing the need to activate a Jirga to restore law and order. However, the delegation was unable to reach Kurram due to road closures stemming from a dispute between rival groups.
For months, Kurram district has faced recurring tribal clashes, causing dozens of casualties. The violence has disrupted transport routes and closed borders with Afghanistan, severely affecting local residents.
In September, clashes claimed 60 lives and injured many others, as confirmed by KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. The conflict centers on a land dispute between two rival tribes. A ceasefire agreement was reached in August, but violence has persisted, leaving 50 dead and 226 injured during the earlier skirmishes.
