he sectarian violence in Kurram has gotten worse, raising the death toll across the tribal district to 99. More than 100 people have been injured. Despite the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s announcement of a seven-day ceasefire, sporadic clashes have persisted in areas such as Bagan and Alizai in Lower Kurram.

The Thal-Parachinar Road remains closed to traffic. The internet and mobile phone services are suspended. All educational institutions in Kurram district have been shut down due to ongoing clashes and a fuel shortage. The Kohat Education Board has also postponed the FA and FSc Annual Part II exams in the district.

The law-and-order situation deteriorated substantially on November 21, when unidentified gunmen attacked passenger vehicles in two convoys traveling through Mandori Uchat near Bagan in Lower Kurram. The attack claimed at least 45 lives, including women and children. Besides many people were injured. Among the deceased was journalist Janan Hussain, who was traveling from Peshawar to Parachinar.

On November 22, unknown assailants launched an attack on Bagan, a small town near the site of the convoy ambush, apparently as a revenge measure. According to a tribal elder, who spoke to The News on Sunday on the condition of anonymity, dozens of gunmen from the rival sect attacked the Bagan Bazaar. He said some of them set fire to shops and houses in the surrounding area. The extent of damage has yet to be ascertained.

At least 30 people lost their lives in the Bagan attack. Heavy gunfire was reported from both sides. Many residents of Bagan evacuated their families to safer locations. Hundreds of families relocated to Thal, a subdivision of Hangu district. Sporadic firing continues to be reported from vatious parts of the district.

Muhammad Rehan, a journalist and resident of Bagan, told TNS last week: “Our house and hujra were set on fire. I managed to move my family to safety.” He described the current clashes as the worst in years. He said it could take months to restore peace in the valley.

The unrest had intensified in October when at least 17 people, including women and children, were killed near Kunj Alizai, a Shia-majority area, after unidentified gunmen attacked a convoy from Muqbal, a Sunni-majority area, despite the presence of security personnel.

Following the Kunj Alizai incident, tensions ran high across the valley. The Thal-Parachinar Road remained closed for over three weeks. The Kharlachi border post was also closed, halting trade activities. Residents of Upper Kurram faced severe shortages of food and fuel during this time.

Since May 2023, the security situation in Kurram has been precarious. Over the past year and a half, hundreds of people, including women, children and teachers, have lost their lives in sectarian clashes. People from both communities have been avoiding each other’s areas.

In November, a large number of people Parachinar in Upper Kurram marched to Sameer Abbas in Lower Kurram, demanding that the government reopen and secure the Thal-Parachinar Road. Following discussions with district administration officials, security was provided for passenger vehicles to travel in protected convoys three times a week. However, the situation worsened when these convoys were ambushed in Lower Kurram.

Since May 2023, the security situation in Kurram has been precarious. Over the past year and a half, hundreds of people, including women, children and teachers, have lost their lives in sectarian clashes. People from both communities have been avoiding each other’s areas.

When the situation spiraled out of control, the chief minister directed a delegation comprising the law minister, the advisor on information and public relations, the chief secretary, the inspector general of police and the Kohat commissioner to visit Kurram. The delegation spent two days in the district, meeting tribal elders from both sects.

Barrister Saif later stated that both sides had agreed to a seven-day ceasefire, hostage exchanges and the return of bodies. He said that the government was taking serious steps to de-escalate tensions in the district.

On November 25, after the ceasefire agreement was reached, both communities exchanged bodies and hostages. Leaders from the Bagan region handed over four bodies and five female hostages were released to the rival community. Despite these developments, sporadic clashes continued across the Lower and Upper Kurram subdivisions.

The situation has escalated into a humanitarian crisis. Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, who also heads the Pakistan Red Crescent’s KP chapter, stated that at least 425 families have been displaced from Lower Kurram and relocated to Thal. According to the governor’s office, 915 displaced individuals have been provided with food and water.

Habib Malik Orakzai, chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent KP, tells TNS, “Since November 23, our on-ground team in Thal has been providing humanitarian assistance to displaced families in the Dersamand area. We have distributed 1,175 food parcels and water at four points in Thal.”

Amid the unrest, the Awami National Party observed a black day across the province on November 25. Youth from the merged districts staged protests outside the Peshawar Press Club, urging the government to immediately restore peace in the tribal district.

The writer is a multimedia producer. He tweets @daudpasaney