Tribal Clashes in Pakistan’s Kurram District Leave 36 Dead, 162 Injured

Tribal Clashes in Pakistan's Kurram District Leave 36 Dead, 162 Injured

Ashiq Butt | July 29, 2024 | 05:16 PM IST | Breaking News, Pakistan News, World | Follow on Google News

Tribal Clashes in Pakistan’s Kurram District Leave 36 Dead, 162 Injured

Tribal Clashes in Pakistan’s Kurram District Leave 36 Dead, 162 Injured

Key Highlights:

1. Armed clashes between Shia and Sunni tribes over a land dispute.
2. Heavy weapons, including mortar shells and rocket launchers, used in the conflict.
3. A temporary truce brokered, but firing continues in some areas.

ISLAMABAD: At least 36 people were killed and 162 others injured in armed clashes between two tribes fighting over a piece of land in Pakistan’s restive tribal district in the northwest, officials said on Sunday.

Heavy clashes began five days ago in Boshera village in Upper Kurram district, an area known for deadly conflicts among tribes, religious groups, sectarian clashes, and militant attacks.

Deputy Commissioner Kurram, Javedullah Mehsud, confirmed the tribal clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district, bordering Afghanistan, resulted in significant casualties over the last five days.

Officials, with the assistance of tribal elders, military leadership, police, and district administration, have brokered a truce between Shia and Sunni tribes in Boshera, Malikhel, and Dandar areas. However, firing is still reported in other parts of the district.

Efforts are underway to reach a ceasefire in these remaining areas as well. Tribal fighters have vacated their trenches, now controlled by law enforcement.

The conflict, sparked by a land dispute, escalated four days ago and spread to other areas, including Peewar, Tangi, Balishkhel, Khaar Kalay, Maqbal, Kunj Alizai, Para Chamkani, and Karman. Local residents reported the use of heavy and sophisticated weapons, including mortar shells and rocket launchers.

Mortar and rocket shells were also fired on Parachinar and Sadda, the main cities in the Kurram tribal district.

“There were at least four waves of attacks in last night’s gunbattle resulting in more casualties,” an official said. All educational institutions and markets were closed, and traffic on main roads remained suspended during the day.

Heavy contingents of police and security forces have been deployed in the affected areas, officials added.

Ashiq Butt

Ashiq Butt – is VoM News's senior staffer worked since year 2015 and he deals with correspondency and social media handles. Hailing from Doda's Marmat, Ashiq has strong grip over the collection of the data and it's compiling feature.