PESHAWAR:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) authorities on Sunday banned all public gatherings, gatherings and displays of firearms, and deferred supply of essential commodities to the besieged Kurram district, a day after an attack on the train of the district’s top official .
On Saturday, Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud was on his way to hold talks with a group of protesters in Bagan Bazaar when a group of more than two dozen gunmen opened fire on his convoy, injuring seven people. including Mehsud.
A day after the brazen ambush, seen as an attempt to sabotage a nascent peace deal between warring tribes there, authorities filed a first information report (FIR) of the attack on charges of terrorism against unknown assailants.
Meanwhile, the provincial government invoked section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which prohibits all public gatherings and display of arms. He also decided to postpone the provision of aid to the troubled areas until security clearance, while promising to launch an offensive against the miscreants.
Following the attack on the deputy commissioner, the government stopped the supply of essential goods to areas where dozens of people were killed last month in violence that sparked widespread sit-ins in the country, particularly in its economic hub, Karachi.
On Sunday, the Anti-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Peshawar registered an FIR against the alleged attackers. The FIR said that a group of 25 to 30 terrorists attacked the convoy, resulting in injuries to seven people, including the Kurram deputy commissioner, as well as police and FC staff.
Charges of attempt to murder and terrorism were included in the FIR, filed on behalf of the additional SHO of CTD police station in Peshawar. According to sources, police on Sunday also detained two of the suspects and then took them to an unknown location for interrogation.
The provincial government on Sunday imposed Section 144 in the district with immediate effect, banning all types of gatherings, rallies, processions and public display of arms, according to a notification issued by the KP additional chief secretary.
The notification said that unidentified elements were trying to sabotage the peace agreement by carrying out terrorist attacks. “Under Article 144, all types of gatherings are now prohibited on the main road from Teri to Chapri,” he added.
The government decided to take strict action against miscreants at a meeting in Kohat attended by some key officials, including the KP inspector general of police and chief secretary, according to a statement issued to the media on Sunday.
He stated that in case of further violations or lack of cooperation regarding the surrender of the culprits, the population of the affected area could be temporarily relocated to facilitate a clean-up operation. Rewards would be announced for the capture of key offenders.
“Anyone found in possession of weapons will be considered a terrorist and rewards will be announced for information leading to the capture of several fugitives,” according to the statement. “The tribal elders who signed the Kurram peace agreement will be responsible for its implementation.”
“All perpetrators and facilitators of the January 4 attack will be named in the FIR, prosecuted under anti-terrorism laws and included in Schedule IV, and arrests will be carried out as per legal procedures,” the statement said.
“The signatories of the peace agreement have been instructed to hand over the attackers and their accomplices. Failure to comply will lead to action, including direct arrest of the culprits. Strict administrative measures will be implemented on the Thall-Parachinar highway and Toraware highway .-Shasho Road.”
The statement warned that disciplinary action would be taken against government employees who supported sectarian discord. “If law and order is not maintained, miscreants and those who disturb the peace will be dealt with firmly.”
He said the Kurram District Police Officer (DPO) would be provided with riot gear, resources and a female police force as required. The police would remove any blockade or illegal gathering on the Tall-Parachinar road.
To ensure security of Thall-Parachinar highway, adequate police force would be deployed and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs), including FC, would be deployed as required to support the police.
Meanwhile, the government temporarily suspended sending convoys to Parachinar due to security concerns. Advisor to the KP Chief Information Minister Barrister Saif stated that the convoy would be sent soon after receiving clearance.
Saif said that peace will be ensured in Kurram at all costs as per the Great Jirga agreement, and those who disturb the peace will be dealt with firmly. He urged the people of Kurram to remain vigilant against peace-disturbing elements and cooperate with the government for lasting peace in the region.
“KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has taken serious note of the incident and ordered that those responsible be brought to justice,” he said.
He said a high-level meeting chaired by Gandapur was held last night to discuss the Bagan incident. The prime minister called the attack a failed attempt by elements disturbing the peace and said those involved would be brought to justice.
“Peace and order in Kurram will be restored in accordance with the agreement reached by the Great Jirga,” Barrister Saif added.
The provincial government on Sunday also replaced Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud, who was injured in the attack, with Muhammad Ashfaq, according to a notification issued by the KP Establishment Department.
