KURRAM: The death toll from an attack on a passenger convoy traveling from Parachinar to Peshawar in Pakistan’s Kurram district has risen to 49 after four more individuals succumbed to their injuries.
Kurram, for months, has witnessed deadly tribal clashes which once again sprung up last week leaving dozens dead and wounding several others.
The latest tribal clashes started after gunmen attacked convoys of civilian vehicles on Thursday morning when a convoy of approximately 200 vehicles departed from Parachinar, the administrative headquarters of Kurram District, heading towards Peshawar and vice versa.
The two convoys, one belonging to the Tori Bangash tribes heading to Peshawar and another travelling in the opposite direction to Parachinar, were ambushed by armed assailants.
The victims included women. The latest update reflects the grim reality of the increased casualties. The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region and the vulnerability of civilian populations to such attacks.
So far, more than 70 people have lost their lives in the latest wave of violence that has gripped the district.
Tribal leader Jalal Bangash revealed that many passengers remain trapped in the area and called for urgent rescue operations.
“We have been pleading with the government for over a month and a half to ensure the safety of transportation routes,” said Bangash. “Dozens of passengers are still stranded, and immediate action is needed to prevent further loss of life.”
Earlier last week, KP government spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif confirmed that the the warring tribes had agreed to a seven-day ceasefire.
“The two parties have agreed to return each other’s hostages and bodies,” said Saif.
The spokesperson also noted that the government delegation flew to Parachinar — Kurram’s main city — on Saturday to meet leaders of both sides.
On Sunday, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari censured the Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, terming the turmoil in Kurram as the provincial administration’s failure.
“The government’s silence in this turmoil is tantamount to being an ally of terrorists [….] We condemn the criminal negligence of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) government” said the PPP chairman in a statement.
“On the one hand, the Kurram district is burning in the fire of unrest and, on the other hand, the KP government is absent from the scene,” said the PPP chief.
