DI KHAN/PESHAWAR:
Police personnel launched an operation in Lower Kurram on Sunday after a high-level meeting of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government decided to take strict action against miscreants in the troubled district.
Peshawar officials said security forces would be present to help police and civil administration in the operation against miscreants. It was stated that three places in Kurram (Bagan, Mandori and Chaperi) would be cleared during the operation.
Local people began moving to safer places when authorities imposed a curfew in the Bagan area and mounted a search operation, days after a brutal attack on an aid convoy in which several people were kidnapped and six of them later murdered.
The security forces, assisted by the Kurram police, surrounded four villages in Bagan and took up positions on the main road. The operation is carried out in specific locations identified by intelligence agencies.
Armored vehicles and other vehicles are advancing and security forces have taken control of the bunkers established in the area. Residents have been ordered to stay indoors and orders have been issued to shoot on sight of any miscreants seen in the area.
Before the start of the operation, a high-level meeting on the Kurram situation was held in Peshawar involving Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Government Spokesperson, KP Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police (IGP ) and other civil and police agents. .
The meeting decided to take strict action against miscreants without discrimination. A statement issued after the meeting said the spokesperson reiterated the government’s determination to bring “cruel elements” to justice.
“Action against miscreants in the affected areas has become inevitable. The peace agreement will be implemented in accordance with Pashtun law and traditions,” he said.
Kurram has long been plagued by decades-long sectarian clashes, which have escalated into land disputes and claimed the lives of at least 140 people since November 2024. However, on January 1 the warring tribes signed an agreement under the auspices of a tribal jirga.
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 Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud was attacked near Bagan area, resulting in injuries to the official and six members of his escort.
On January 13, the provincial government dismantled two bunkers out of hundreds set up by the two warring factions, but on January 16, unidentified gunmen launched a rocket attack on a convoy of 35 vehicles carrying fruits, vegetables, medicine and other essential items from Thall to the Bagan area.
The miscreant also kidnapped several people who were part of the convoy and a day later the bodies of six of them were discovered in the Aravali area of Kurram with their hands and feet tied. The authorities later announced the launch of an operation.
According to the KP government spokesperson, security forces will be present to assist the police and civil administration in the fight against miscreants.
The government, he said, is of the view that some miscreants have infiltrated among the peaceful people and steps will be taken to separate the peaceful elements from the miscreants.
“Best alternative accommodation arrangements have been made for the people of the affected areas. The government requests both parties to the Kurram Peace Agreement to assist law enforcement agencies in identifying miscreants among them.”
The spokesperson said the KP government has been trying to restore peace in Kurram in an amicable manner for the past three months. However, in a cowardly attempt, the criminals attacked the deputy commissioner. The miscreants also target security force personnel and relief convoys.
The spokesperson urged the population to fully cooperate with security forces in the affected areas.
“The government will soon eliminate the miscreants from the affected areas and restore peace in the area. The government has done everything possible to restore peace in accordance with the peace agreement, the people of Kurram want peace, respect and abide by the peace agreement”. he added.
Meanwhile, the provincial government’s MI-17 helicopter made four flights to the Parachiner area in Kurram on Sunday, carrying a total of 133 people.
The first flight carried 3,000 kg of medicines along with four people to Parachinar. The second flight carried 44 people from Parachinar to Thall, while the third flight carried 34 people from Thall to Parachinar. The fourth and final flight carried 35 people from Parachinar to Peshawar.
“Following special directives from the KP Prime Minister, various supplies were sent on Sunday to protect the residents of Kurram from the cold. These included 500 tents, 1,000 mattresses, 1,000 blankets, 500 plastic mats, 500 tarpaulins, 100 lamps search, 100 solar lamps, and other essential items.
“The chief minister noted that the provincial government is well aware of the difficulties faced by the people of the region due to the closure of land routes to Kurram.
“He assured that the provincial government is using all available resources to minimize these difficulties. He further stated that the helicopter service will continue until the situation in Kurram normalizes and land routes are restored,” an official statement said.
