Five killed, several injured as clashes continue in Kurram

PARACHINAR/SADDA: Five persons were killed and several others sustained injuries as clashes between the rival tribes continued in various areas of Kurram tribal district for the second consecutive day on Sunday.

The rival tribes used heavy and light weapons against each other in the clashes triggered by a land dispute and construction of trenches in Boshehra and its surrounding areas.

According to police sources, the firing began over construction of a disputed piece of land. In retaliation, the tribes in central Kurram launched an armed offensive against the tribes in Balishkhel area, which intensified the violence, leaving five persons dead and several others injured from both the sides.

Similarly, a market in Sadda Bazaar belonging to one of the factions involved in the conflict was blown up. However, no casualty was reported in the incident.

It was reported that the people belonging to the Bhagan tribe blocked the main Parachinar-Peshawar road, which created great hardships for passengers and motorists.

Elders belonging to Turi-Bangash tribes have called for immediate action from the authorities to resolve the issue amicably. They urged the government to take action against the violence mongers and restore lasting peace in the region.

Engineer Hamid Hussain, Member of the National Assembly and parliamentary leader of the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), has initiated a protest sit-in outside the Parachinar Press Club.

He said the sit-in was meant to draw attention of the high-ups towards the repeated outbreaks of violence in Kurram district. He demanded swift action against those responsible for the clashes and the deteriorating law and order situation in the region.

The clashes over land disputes have been a longstanding issue in the region, often resulting in loss of lives and disruptions to daily life. Local elders and political figures have also urged for a peaceful resolution to the conflicts and stressed the need for restoration of lasting peace in the region.

Meanwhile, former federal minister Sajid Hussain Turi called on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and asked him to play his role in resolving the volatile situation in Kurram district.

They expressed serious concern over the rising violence and instability in the area and called for urgent and coordinated efforts to restore lasting peace.

During the meeting, Governor Kundi lamented the resurgence of clashes in Parachinar and termed it regrettable. He criticized the provincial government’s “criminal negligence” in handling the security situation.

He believed that the provincial government had failed to prioritize peace and the well-being of its citizens.