10 more killed as Kurram clashes continue

PARACHINAR/ SADDA: Another 10 people were killed and 30 others sustained injuries as fierce clashes between rival tribes in the Kurram tribal district entered the fifth day on Wednesday. The latest deaths brought the number of the dead to 30 and injured to 70 over the last five days of fighting.

Both sides are using heavy and automatic weapons in the skirmishes. The conflict, which began over a land dispute between the Boshera and Ahmadzai tribes in Upper Kurram, has spread to various areas. The fresh clashes in Boshera, Sadda, Khar Killay and Piwar areas resulted in 10 more deaths while 30 people were injured, according to police and hospital sources.

The fighting has paralyzed the region, blocking key transportation routes, including the main road connecting Parachinar to the rest of the country. Thousands of people remained stranded with schools and businesses shut down indefinitely.

Local tribal leaders, including former lawmaker Saleem Khan and Malik Fakhar Zaman, have called for an immediate ceasefire to stop the bloodshed.

Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud said that efforts were being made to stop the fighting. He said jirgas had been sent to negotiate peace for the third time. The official expressed the hope that a ceasefire would soon be reached.

Sources said the security forces may use force to restore order if the fighting did not stop by Thursday.

Meanwhile, speaking at a press conference in Parachinar, the office-bearers of Kurram Bar Association criticized the local authorities for not taking timely action to quell the unrest. They demanded measures to bring peace to the region.

President of the association Aamir Abbas, Syed Fida Hussain, Iftikhar Hussain, Riaz Hussain and others said that lawlessness had made life miserable for the people.

They said the district administration should play its role to restore peace and bring the situation under control.