DERA ISMAIL KHAN:
A brief lull in violence in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s restive Kurram district was shattered on Thursday when unidentified gunmen launched a rocket attack on a convoy carrying relief supplies to Parachinar in Bagan area, killing one member of the security staff and injuring four others, according to police.
In a coordinated response, security forces carried out a retaliatory operation, killing six terrorists and wounding 10 others, police added.
The district administration reported that the terrorists were bombed by helicopters.
Kurram has long been affected by decades-long sectarian clashes, which have escalated into territorial disputes and claimed the lives of at least 140 people since November 2024.
In December, the provincial government formed a large jirga (council of elders) to negotiate a ceasefire in the region. Following this progress, a peace agreement was signed between the warring parties on January 1.
According to the peace agreement, local residents committed to hand over their weapons to the state in different phases within 15 days, while the dismantling of local bunkers must be completed by February 2025.
However, on January 4, a convoy of former deputy commissioner Javedullah Mehsud was attacked near the Bagan area, resulting in injuries to the official and five members of his bodyguard.
On Monday, the provincial government dismantled two bunkers out of hundreds set up by the two warring factions.
However, the fragile peace in Kurram was short-lived when unidentified gunmen launched a rocket attack on a convoy of 35 vehicles carrying fruits, vegetables, medicines and other essential items from Thall to Bagan area on Thursday. The convoy was escorted by police, FC and other security personnel.
According to Kurram Additional Deputy Commissioner Shaukat Ali, one security personnel was martyred and four were injured in the attack. He said six terrorists had been killed and 10 wounded in the retaliatory response.
Kurram Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ashfaq Khan said this was the third convoy trying to reach the region by road since the last ceasefire.
The attack was also confirmed by local police SHO Afzal Karim.
According to police, six vehicles in the convoy were set on fire and gunfire continued in the area.
“After the attack, 21 trucks left the area, while others remain stranded,” a senior police official told AFP, requesting anonymity. “After the incident, heavy shooting occurred at two other locations.”
Meanwhile, sources claimed that trucks carrying relief items, which had returned due to the fragile law and order situation, were looted by locals.
Police added that Bagan residents shared images of the looting on social media.
Kurram continues to face severe shortages of food, medicine and other essential items due to ongoing fighting, and major roads leading to Parachinar remain closed.
A day ago, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the situation in Kurram was “returning to normal” as 25 vehicles of a second convoy carrying essential items reached the district.
