PARACHINAR: A relief convoy traveling from Thall to Kurram came under gunfire near the Ochit area of Lower Kurram. The attack injured a truck driver, prompting authorities to reroute the convoy back to Hangu as a precaution. The incident marked another episode of Kurram violence, which has gripped the region for months.
The convoy, consisting of 64 vehicles, was en route to deliver essential supplies when unidentified gunmen opened fire. Following the attack, officials heightened security to prevent further violence. Investigations into the incident are underway.
Reacting to the attack, Adviser to the KP Chief Minister on Information, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, strongly condemned the assault. He emphasized the government’s resolve to restore peace. According to him, the KP Chief Minister has ordered strict action against those responsible. During a cabinet meeting, officials reviewed the overall security situation in Kurram.
Barrister Saif warned that certain elements were deliberately destabilizing the region. He noted that a ceasefire agreement, reached through a grand jirga, was in place. Efforts were ongoing to rebuild trust among the conflicting sides. He added that the government had already started demolishing illegal bunkers as part of its strategy to curb Kurram violence.
The adviser stressed that securing the region was crucial for long-term stability. He reiterated that the administration would not allow anyone to disrupt the fragile peace.
Fragile Peace Threatened Again
The latest attack disrupted aid efforts amid an already volatile situation. The government has been dispatching convoys to provide food and medical supplies to Kurram, a region struggling under the weight of prolonged tribal conflict.
Kurram has been a hotspot of violence for decades, but the recent escalation began in November last year. Since then, over 150 people have been killed. The crisis intensified when two police-escorted convoys were ambushed, leaving 40 dead.
Road closures and movement restrictions in Kurram cut the region off from the outside world. The shortage of food and medicine worsened, reportedly leading to additional casualties. The warring factions finally agreed to a ceasefire under a peace deal brokered by the government and military. The agreement required all sides to surrender weapons and remove bunkers, aligning with the KP apex committee’s directives.
Despite the truce, attacks on vehicles have continued. Even high-profile officials have been targeted. Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud and Assistant Commissioner Saeed Manan Boshehra recently survived an assassination attempt.
Last month, terrorists ambushed another convoy of 35 vehicles carrying essential supplies. The attack killed eight people, including security personnel and civilians. In retaliation, security forces killed six assailants.
KP Government to Establish 120 Security Posts
In a provincial cabinet meeting chaired by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, officials announced the establishment of 120 security posts along the Kurram Road. The government allocated Rs764 million for equipment. Additionally, 407 personnel will be recruited for these posts to strengthen security.
Officials briefed the cabinet on the rising death toll in Kurram. Since October, 189 people have lost their lives due to the ongoing conflict. Authorities assured that measures were being taken to fully implement the peace agreement.
To restore normalcy, nine aid convoys, consisting of 718 vehicles, have so far delivered essential supplies. The KP government also launched a helicopter service for Kurram. The service has conducted 153 flights, providing transport to 4,000 people. Additionally, 19,000 kilograms of medicine have been delivered to the affected areas.
The administration is also dismantling bunkers in Kurram. So far, 151 illegal fortifications have been removed. Authorities have set a deadline for March to complete the operation.
The cabinet also approved Rs480 million for the reconstruction of the damaged Bagan Bazaar.
Government Vows Full Implementation of Peace Accord
KP Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah assured that all provisions of the Kurram peace agreement would be enforced. Speaking to the media, he stated that maintaining stability in Kurram was a top priority.
He warned that those fueling unrest, along with their supporters, would face legal action. Shah emphasized that peace in Kurram was in the interest of all communities and urged tribal leaders to prevent terrorists from using their land. He called on the people to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in securing the region.
Traders Demand Compensation for Losses
For over four months, more than 100 villages in Parachinar, Boshehra, and other parts of Kurram remained under siege. Residents struggled with shortages of food, fuel, and medicine.
Despite ongoing efforts to restore order, people in Parachinar voiced concerns over the scarcity of essential supplies. Fuel and gas remained inaccessible, and medicine stocks ran dangerously low.
Local traders, deeply affected by the prolonged conflict, staged protests demanding compensation. Shopkeepers in the Bagan area, who suffered massive losses, warned they would block the Tall-Parachinar road if their demands were not met.
Due to road closures, petrol prices skyrocketed in the black market, reaching Rs1,200 to 1,500 per liter. The situation forced many residents to travel on foot.
As Kurram violence continues to pose challenges, authorities remain focused on long-term peace efforts. However, with ongoing attacks and rising concerns among residents, achieving stability remains a daunting task.
