KP steps up efforts for peace as 18 more killed in Kurram tribal-sectarian

PESHAWAR/KURRAM: As tribal-sectarian clashes continued, killing 37 people in firing since overnight, including 18 on Saturday, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has been working feverishly to bring the warring tribes in Kurram district to a ceasefire and has decided to form a powerful commission to resolve land disputes.

Following Thursday's deadly attack, in which a convoy of about 200 vehicles came under heavy gunfire in Kurram's densely populated Bagan town, killing at least 43 people and injuring 16 more, the provincial government stepped up its efforts with a jirga meeting to restore peace in Kurram district and put an end to the tribal-sectarian clashes that had broken out.

Between Peshawar and Parachinar city, which is located in Kurram, a province close to the Afghan border with a history of land disputes and sectarian bloodshed, the convoy was transporting passengers.

According to information provided to TKD from the region, there are at least six attackers' bodies and some burned victims' bodies, therefore the death toll is still growing, an official entrusted with gathering information on the slaughter told The Khorasan Diary.

According to information provided to TKD from the region, there are at least six attackers' bodies and some burned victims' bodies, therefore the death toll is still growing, an official entrusted with gathering information on the slaughter told The Khorasan Diary.

Due to increased tensions, officials and state employees were unable to enter the area. However, one official who was able to evacuate some injured before the gunfire resumed this morning took pictures of the area, showing a whole village market, houses, and government buildings completely destroyed by fire in retaliation for the attack on passenger vans that killed 47 people, including women and children.

Six women were reportedly abducted as hostages, although there was little communication and information available to confirm this.

Communication from elders of both religions indicated that a message for more intense attacks had been issued, the security staff said. As authorities work to maintain a shaky ceasefire, there has been sporadic shooting from at least three locations in the district, and the Thall-Sada-Parachinar Highway has remained closed from Kohat district.

To improve security in Kurram, the KP government sent a high-level delegation on Saturday. The delegation included Kohat Division commissioner and deputy inspector general of police Aftab Alam, KP Law Minister Aftab Alam, and KP Chief Secretary (CS) Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, among other high-ranking officials.

The delegation's duties included improving the security situation and trying to use the local jirga for that goal.

The KP Law Minister stated that all ministries were working nonstop to enhance Kurram's law and order situation and that suggestions would be sent to the chief minister.

Alam, who spearheaded the attempts to restore peace, informed the media that the KP government had chosen to establish a powerful panel to resolve land disputes amongst Kurram's warring tribes.

He said that a government delegation visited Kurram and spoke with a number of stakeholders, stating that land issues were the main problem facing the district.
"The government delegation received assurances of collaboration during highly fruitful sessions with one stakeholder group.

He declared that a report on every incident that occurred in Kurram will be prepared and given to the chief minister and other high-ranking authorities.

Alam stated that as none of the parties approved of the commissions and committees that had previously been formed, a new high-level commission will be formed to settle the Kurram conflicts.

He stated that it would be acceptable to all parties and that this time the commission will be established in accordance with their wishes. Alam remarked that it was incorrect to give the land disputes between Kurram's different tribes the appearance of sectarian rioting.

The report on Kurram's problems will also be presented at an apex committee meeting, according to the province law minister.

On orders from KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the government delegation met with district elders in a jirga, according to KP government spokesperson Barrister Dr. Muhammad Ali Saif.

"Everything is being done to put an end to the stress by resolving it in a friendly manner. Shia leaders were met in-depth today, and constructive talks were undertaken to address the problems. In the upcoming stage, there will also be meetings with Sunni leaders," he stated.

Establishing a ceasefire between the warring parties and bringing about enduring peace was the government's first objective, Saif continued.