Pakistan: Fresh Sectarian Violence Claims Eight Lives in Kurram District
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Synopsis
The Kurram District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has seen its death toll rise to eight due to a recent attack on a humanitarian convoy, amidst ongoing sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni Muslims.
Key Takeaways
- Death toll from Kurram attack reaches eight.
- Convoy was delivering essential aid to Parachinar.
- Ongoing sectarian violence has claimed over 150 lives.
- Local peace agreements have failed to stop the violence.
- Access routes to the region remain blocked, impacting thousands.
Peshawar, Jan 18 (NationPress) The death toll from the tragic assault on the Kurram humanitarian convoy heading to Parachinar has escalated to eight after the recovery of four more bodies belonging to the missing drivers on Saturday.
The Kurram District in Pakistan's troubled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province has been isolated from the rest of the nation for several months due to violent confrontations between rival sects of Shia and Sunni Muslims, with over 150 lives lost so far.
As the number of casualties continues to rise, including numerous women and children succumbing to starvation and lack of medical supplies, a recently signed 14-point peace agreement was intended to establish a ceasefire in the devastated area.
Nevertheless, local authorities reported that the relief convoy was subjected to a severe attack on Thursday, leading to additional fatalities.
“The assault persisted for a minimum of five hours. Five drivers went missing; four bodies have been located. The total death toll now stands at eight, which includes four drivers and two security personnel,” stated the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Kurram.
Conversely, police officials assert that the death toll has reached at least 10, including two security personnel, four drivers, and four civilians, and maintain that six drivers remain unaccounted for after being allegedly kidnapped by the assailants using rockets and automatic weapons.
According to security forces, six attackers were also killed during the retaliatory fire.
The 35-vehicle convoy, which represents the second batch of aid dispatched to Parachinar, comprised medicines, vegetables, fruits, and other essential items, with security forces including police and the Frontier Constabulary (FC) providing escort.
This latest attack has further disrupted the peace agreement, instilling fear and uncertainty in the district, which has been enduring unrest for more than three months.
“The dismantling of bunkers has been temporarily suspended. The supply of critical items has also been halted due to security risks,” remarked a police official.
Authorities have continued to block all access routes to the area, leaving thousands without food, medicines, and vital supplies.
Earlier this month, the Deputy Commissioner of the Kurram district sustained severe injuries when his vehicle was attacked in Mandoori, Kojalai Baba village near Bagan.
“The Shia and Sunni conflict has persisted for decades here. People have been slaughtered by rival tribes during ambushes numerous times, and each time they end up signing these so-called peace agreements. Now, once again, a peace agreement has been signed, yet no progress is evident regarding the opening of routes or supplies. Our families are dying daily from starvation and medical crises,” a local resident relayed to IANS.
The sectarian strife in Parachinar ignited in the last week of November when a bus was attacked, resulting in the deaths of over 47 Shia Muslims. In retaliation, Shia militant factions launched assaults on Sunni villages, brutally killing more than 150 individuals. Since then, the tribal area has remained cut off from the rest of the nation.
