Clashes between rival tribes in Kurram entered their eighth day on Thursday, raising the death toll to 107 despite claims of a ceasefire reached a day earlier.
Police confirmed five new fatalities and nine injuries in the latest outbreak of violence. This escalation followed an agreement for a 10-day ceasefire announced by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister’s office.
The ongoing conflict has led to severe disruptions, including the closure of the Parachinar-Peshawar road for eight days and a halt to trade with Afghanistan at the Kharlachi border, according to Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud. Internet and mobile services remain suspended, exacerbating the situation for locals.
Efforts are underway to enforce the truce. A jirga comprising elders from Hangu, Orakzai, and Kohat is expected to mediate further talks. “The warring tribes have agreed to the ceasefire, and steps are being taken to ensure its implementation,” Mehsud stated.
The violence erupted last Thursday when police-escorted convoys were ambushed, marking another tragic episode in Kurram’s troubled history. Police have reported 55 deaths and 140 injuries in the current clashes, with at least 52 casualties occurring during an attack on a convoy on November 21.
Kurram, previously part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas until its merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018, has long faced difficulties in maintaining law and order. Last month, a clash claimed 16 lives, including women and children.
From July to October, 79 fatalities were reported in tribal disputes, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. A seven-day ceasefire brokered last weekend failed to hold, and an earlier truce facilitated by provincial officials also collapsed.
The government has deployed a high-powered delegation, led by Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, along with senior officials, to negotiate a lasting resolution.
