Communal violence continues in Pakistan's Kurram, 122 dead so far.

So far 122 people have died in the ongoing communal violence between Sunni and Shia communities in Kurram district of Pakistan's troubled northwestern region. Police and hospital sources informed on Friday that despite the ceasefire, sporadic clashes and firing incidents are continuing. The latest firing took place on Thursday, in which two people were killed and six others were injured.

 

 

Following these incidents, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has directed Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to visit the troubled area. The violence began on November 21 in the Parachinar area of ​​this district bordering Afghanistan, when a passenger van was ambushed. 47 people were killed in this attack. Many seriously injured people succumbed during treatment, taking the death toll to 57.

Why did the violence start?

Following this, violence broke out between the Alizai and Bagan tribal groups. At least 37 people were killed and dozens injured in clashes in the Bagan Bazar area last Friday and Saturday. The violence also spread to other areas including Balishkhel, Khar, Kali, Junj Alizai, and Maqbal.

 

Ceasefire and clashes

The government had announced a seven-day ceasefire between the Shia and Sunni communities on November 26, which was later extended to 10 days. Despite this, minor clashes continued between the two sides. According to police and hospital sources, 65 people have lost their lives in the firing till Friday.

Administration is busy in calming down the matter

The total number of people killed in the violence since November 21 has risen to 122, while 145 people are injured. The local administration and security forces are trying to control the situation, but tension remains between the two communities. Efforts to normalise the situation in the disturbed area have been intensified after the instructions of the Governor and the Chief Minister. However, restoring peace in the area remains challenging due to the ongoing clashes.