KARRAM: Warring tribes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district have finally agreed to a ceasefire, the deputy commissioner confirmed on Sunday, as the death toll in deadly clashes rose to 130.
“Armed tribals have been removed from firing posts while police and forces have been deployed. [in the region]” DC said in a statement without giving details.
The latest spate of violence, which continued for the 11th consecutive day, has claimed at least 130 lives and injured 186 others as six more people lost their lives and eight others were injured in the overnight firing.
The latest spate of clashes began eight days ago with the ambush of two separate convoys under police protection, which left 52 people dead on November 21. Since then, violence between the warring clans has escalated, with police struggling to maintain control.
Kurram region is facing communication blackout, mobile and internet services are suspended and educational institutions are closed.
The closure of the main highway has not only affected local traffic, but trade with Afghanistan, especially at the Kharlachi border, has been completely suspended.
A 10-day ceasefire was announced earlier this week, but intermittent violence has rendered it ineffective.
In a statement issued today, the deputy commissioner said the jirga participants would “talk to the elders to reopen the roads and sign the peace agreement.”
Additionally, the official said, Kohat division elders and MPs will visit Karam district to ensure a peace accord between the warring tribes.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan recorded 79 deaths in the region between July and October this year, highlighting continued instability.
Previous efforts to mediate peace, including a seven-day ceasefire brokered by provincial officials in November, have failed.
A high-powered delegation including KP Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry and IGP Akhtar Hayat Gandapur also negotiated a ceasefire late last week, but violence resumed soon after.
“Dig Out Their Digs”
A day earlier, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur stressed the need to restore peace in the region and ordered authorities to demolish the dugouts of rival tribes and confiscate their weapons.
The provincial chief executive issued these instructions during a grand jirga held in Kohat district, which was attended by elders of rival tribes.
He also directed the authorities concerned to take steps for “immediate resettlement” of displaced victims in Kurram. “The loss of life and property should be remedied immediately,” he added.
Furthermore, he asked that the arms in the possession of the rival tribes should be confiscated immediately. “The administration will retain these weapons until peace is restored,” he added.
The Chief Minister also demanded action including arrest and registration of cases against those spreading hatred on social media.
He also urged the parties to declare a ceasefire and immediately implement the previous peace agreements. He said that peace cannot be restored without the cooperation of citizens.