LOWER KURRAM: Ahead of LEA’s operation against terrorists who had attacked a Parachinar-bound Aid-Convoy a couple of days ago killing 10 people including passengers and drivers of trucks (who were tortured and shot dead with hands tied), Camps for Temporary Displaced Persons (TDP) have been established to make sure that the area is clear of peaceful citoyens.
According to details TDP Camps are being established at Govt Boys Degree College, Tal, Govt Technical College, under-construction Rescue 1122 compound and under-construction judicial building.
It is pertinent to mention here that the history of Shia-Sunni skirmishes in the region is decades old. In the latest upsurge of violence that commenced last November, 150 people lost their lives when Aid-Convey carrying food, medicine and other essentials to 400,000 Shias in Parachinar.
The 2nd Aid-Convoy of vehicles, carrying essentials to Parachinar (from Thall), came under attack at the Bagan area here on Thursday (16th Jan 2025) claiming lives of six drivers (who were kidnapped and shot dead with hands tied), 2 passengers and 2 soldiers.
Militants looted 20 trucks (laden with food, other essentials) and torched them. Twenty-one vehicles managed to retreat. Only one truck successfully delivered goods at Parachinar and managed to return safely. LEA personnel retaliated, killing six attackers and injuring ten.
Apparently the shooters wanted to stop the aid caravan from reaching Kurram that remained sans supplies due to road block. While there had been reports that 100 children died because of non-availability of medicine caused by the closure of main arteries, a heli service had been delivering drugs and other goods to the citizens.
Shia and Sunni skirmishes had consumed 130 lives since November last year. Later, a peace agreement was signed on 1st Jan, but the route connecting Parachinar remained blocked. On 4th Jan, a government convoy was attacked by 50 gunmen near Bagan. During the attack DC received 3 bullets while his 6 bodyguards too got injured.
Commenting on the incident KP government spokesman Barrister Said said that the wounded were being provided medical aid and the situation was under control. Aid Convoy, escorted by 700 cops, carrying food, medicine and other essential supplies for the citoyens remained stalled in Thall for five days due to blockades of main arteries.
According to details Tribal elders converged at Kohat Fort where GCO 9 Division Major General Zulfiqar Bhatti had arranged a meeting (jirga) to figure out a way to end the skirmishes between two tribes. The Apex Committee had decided to dismantle all the bunkers and remove all firearms in order to ameliorate the deteriorating law and order state of affairs. It was agreed that nobody will possess unlicensed weapons.
It was agreed that after the passage of the 2nd Feb 2025 deadline, law enforces would confiscate all the heavy weapons in the area. It is pertinent to mention here that due to closure of exits and entrances, inhabitants are facing a grave dearth of food and medicine. Media was informed that:
1) Arrangements are being made for the convoy voyaging towards Kurram;
2) As decided by the Apex Committee, the region will be made weapons and bunkers free;
3) According to the truce both the tribes will present a comprehensive plan in a fortnight apropos modus operandi of surrendering the weapons;
4) Display and use of weapons will be banned;
5) Collection of contributions for the sake of buying weapons will not be allowed;
6) Construction of bunkers will be illegal;
7) All the bunkers in the area will be demolished in a month;
8) Any group that attempts to invade other’s area would be reckoned as after the demolition of bunkers will be deemed a terrorist.
Newspakistan.tv
