PESHAWAR/DI KHAN:
Road closures in Kurram prevented the second convoy of trucks, carrying food and other daily items, from reaching the besieged district, where a police party came under attack, officials and local sources said on Friday.
According to the district administration, local residents had staged a sit-in at Mandori in Lower Kurram to press their demands. Due to the sit-in, the Tal-Parachinar road had been closed, he said, adding that negotiations were underway with the protest leaders in Tal Cantt for the reopening of the road.
According to Kurram police, trucks loaded with goods could not reach Upper Kurram as no clearance had been issued for the road in Lower Kurram. They added that the convoy was currently stuck at Tal in Hangu district. The convoy was expected to resume its journey on Saturday.
People are facing difficulties due to the delay in arrival of the convoy,” said Haji Imdad, president of the Kurram union. “There is a serious shortage of groceries, medicines, fuel and other daily necessities in the district for which “They need 500 trucks of goods.”
The Kurram district administration said the government was taking steps in collaboration with all relevant institutions and jirga members, including talks with protesters sitting at Mandori, to clear the road and restore regular traffic.
Meanwhile, a police armored personnel carrier (APC) was attacked near Balashkhel check post in Lower Kurram, but fortunately there were no casualties. Police said the shot came from a passing vehicle, which did not stop at the post to conduct a search.
Local police station chief Fazal Karim and other police officers were present in the APC vehicle when it was attacked. Local tribesmen said it was a misunderstanding, because the passengers of the vehicle mistook the disguised police officers for their enemies and did not stop, but drove by shooting.
