Kurram death toll hits 107 after five more people killed

KURRAM: Tribal clashes in District Kurram stretched into the eighth day on Thursday, pushing the death toll to 107, despite reports of a “ceasefire” agreement reached a day earlier.

Police said five more people were killed and nine others sustained injuries in the fresh engagement. The development comes a day after the feuding tribes agreed to a new 10-day ceasefire.

“A 10-day ceasefire between the warring parties in Kurram has come into effect as of today,” read the statement issued by the office of the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in Kurram the other day.

At least 107 people have lost their lives in the feud between communities in the district, including 52 in the firing on two separate convoys on November 21.

Police said the recent clashes claimed 55 lives leaving 140 others wounded. The district administration said the Parachinar-Peshawar road had been closed for eight days due to violence.

Meanwhile, Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud said due to the closure of the main highway, trade with Afghanistan at the Kharlachi border was also suspended.

However, Mehsud said steps were being taken to stop clashes and enforce the ceasefire. “A jirga of elders from Hangu, Orakzai and Kohat is r eaching Parachinar for talks. The parties have agreed to the ceasefire, while efforts are underway to fully implement the truce,” said the deputy commissioner.

Provincial officials had brokered a seven-day truce last weekend but it did not hold.

A high-powered government delegation, headed by Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, after holding talks with the elders from warring sides, had announced a week-long ceasefire but it could not be implemented.

KP Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Akhtar Hayat Gandapur and Law Minister Aftab Alam Afridi were also part of the delegation.