A ceasefire in Pakistan’s Kurram has finally been reached after the clashes between the Shia and Sunni groups led to the death of 49 civilians, injuring 190 others on Tuesday, reported The News International.
The clashes between the two rival tribes started five days ago in the upper Kurram district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where violent clashes between the sectarian groups have also taken place in the past.
Located along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the Kurram tribal district has witnessed deadly conflicts among tribes and religious groups as well as sectarian clashes and militant attacks.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) had also voiced its deep concern at the “significant loss of life in Parachinar, Kurram, where rival tribes have engaged in a violent land dispute for several days, fueling sectarian conflict”.
“The violence has taken a heavy toll on ordinary citizens, whose freedom of movement and access to food and medical supplies has been curtailed,” it said in a statement on Monday.
Commissioner Kohat Division Syed Mutasim Billah Shah observed that a complete ceasefire has been achieved due to the constant efforts of the administration, security forces, and divisional grand in Kurram district and the uncertainty has finally ended.
The bunkers have been handed to the police, Pakistan army, and FC personnel, the commissioner added in his statement while presiding over a jirga comprising professional and tribal leaders at the office of the deputy commissioner.
The deputy commissioner, Kohat, Regional Police Officer, Kurram, Javedullah Mehsud, jirga members, and tribal leaders were present in the meeting. Commissioner Kohat also paid rich tribute to the chiefs of the divisional grand jirga and said that their efforts have been commendable.
“Both tribes have agreed to a ceasefire and the clashes have been halted since last night”, Kurram deputy commissioner Javedullah Mehsud told Dawn.com on Tuesday.
Commissioner Kohat also added that he would keep coming back to the Kurram district until a permanent solution is reached and that he would stay in touch with the local leaders to develop an atmosphere of trust.