Clashes Between Rival Tribes in Kurram District Leave Five Dead, Scores Injured
PARACHINAR/SADDA: Ongoing clashes between rival tribes in Kurram district have led to the deaths of at least five people, with many others injured over the past two days. The conflict, primarily over land ownership and trench construction in Boshehra and surrounding areas, has escalated, according to The News.
Weapons and Violence
The fighting, which involved heavy and light arms, began over the disputed land and intensified, particularly in the Balishkhel area. Both sides have suffered losses due to the exchange of fire. Additionally, a market in Sadda Bazaar, owned by one of the involved tribes, was blown up, though no casualties were reported from this specific incident.
Road Blockades and Calls for Peace
Residents of the Bhagan tribe blocked the main Parachinar-Peshawar road, causing disruptions for travelers. In response, elders from the Turi-Bangash tribes have called on authorities to take swift and peaceful action to resolve the situation. They have urged the government to target those instigating violence and restore order to the district.
Protests and Political Involvement
In an effort to bring attention to the recurring violence in Kurram district, MNA Engineer Hamid Hussain and the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) parliamentary leader staged a protest sit-in outside the Parachinar Press Club. Hamid Hussain emphasized the need for urgent action from authorities, condemning the repeated violence that has destabilized the region.
Longstanding Land Disputes
The Kurram district has a history of violent clashes over land disputes, frequently resulting in fatalities and disruption to daily life. Local leaders and political figures are pushing for a peaceful resolution and the restoration of peace.
Urgent Appeals to Provincial Leadership
Former federal minister Sajid Hussain Turi met with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, urging him to play a proactive role in resolving the volatile situation. Governor Kundi expressed regret over the renewed violence, criticizing the provincial government’s “criminal negligence” in maintaining security. He condemned the lack of focus on peace and citizen welfare, calling for immediate action to stabilize the region.