Gandapur
KOHAT: The ongoing tribal clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district have led to an increasing death toll, with the latest reports indicating at least 124 fatalities and 178 injuries. Despite multiple attempts at ceasefires, the violence continues to escalate, prompting urgent action from provincial authorities.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, during a grand jirga organized in Kohat district, emphasized the need for peace and law enforcement in the region.
In response to the growing unrest, Gandapur ordered the immediate demolition of sandbag walls erected by rival tribes and the seizure of their weapons.
The violence in Kurram has been ongoing for over a week, with the most recent wave of attacks beginning on November 21. Two separate police-escort convoys were ambushed, resulting in the deaths of 52 people.
Since then, clashes between the warring tribes have intensified, and despite efforts from law enforcement to maintain control, violence has been difficult to contain.
The region is facing a communication blackout, with both mobile and internet services suspended.
This has severely disrupted daily life, including transportation, trade, and education. The closure of the main highway has impacted local trade with Afghanistan, especially at the Kharlachi border.
Earlier this week, a 10-day truce was brokered, but the violence continued, rendering the ceasefire ineffective. Gandapur reassured the participants at the jirga that the provincial government was determined to restore peace by any means necessary.
He emphasized that the immediate resettlement of victims and compensation for their losses was a priority. Furthermore, he directed authorities to seize the weapons from rival tribes and keep them in custody until peace is fully restored.
Additionally, Gandapur called for strict action against those spreading hate on social media, which has exacerbated the tension in the region.
He urged the warring tribes to adhere to the previously agreed-upon peace accords and announce a ceasefire. The chief minister stressed the importance of cooperation from the citizens to bring about lasting peace.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan had previously reported 79 deaths between July and October this year, underscoring the region’s ongoing instability.
Despite several efforts to mediate peace, including a seven-day ceasefire brokered by provincial officials, violence has persisted.
Recently, a high-powered delegation, including KP Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry and IGP Akhtar Hayat Gandapur, had also attempted to negotiate a ceasefire, but violence resumed shortly after the talks.
As the situation in Kurram remains volatile, the local government is faced with the challenge of finding a sustainable solution to end the violence and restore order to the region.
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