19 militants killed in Kurram as rival factions clash over control, ideology

At least 19 militants were killed in Pakistan's Kurram district on Wednesday after two rival armed factions clashed in the Manato area of central Kurram.

Police said 18 members of the Mumtaz faction and one member of the Kazim group died in the fighting. Several others were injured before both sides withdrew, taking their wounded with them.

What caused the militant clash in Kurram's Manato area?

The exact trigger remains unclear, but police say the fighting stemmed from disputes over territorial control, influence, and the collection of extortion funds. Ideological differences between the two factions also appear to have played a role.

Station House Officer Muhammad Iqbal told Nukta that the Mumtaz faction had recently aligned itself with the Islamic State Khorasan Province, while the Kazim group is associated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Mumtaz was also a commander in the banned outfit Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. Following the incident, JuA issued a statement calling for revenge and retaliation. "Despite internal differences over the past four years, restraint and silence were maintained to prevent enemies from exploiting internal rifts, but the silence is no longer possible", it added.

Local residents carried out funeral prayers and buried the dead in a nearby graveyard after both sides withdrew from the area. SHO Iqbal confirmed the casualty figures and the subsequent withdrawal.

Infighting among militant factions in Kurram is not uncommon, with disputes over territory and resources a recurring driver of violence.

What is the difference between ISKP and TTP in Kurram?

Militancy researcher Jawad Yousafzai told Nukta that ISKP and TTP differ significantly in ideology. ISKP follows a Salafi orientation, while the TTP is rooted in the Deobandi school of thought.

ISKP has recently issued statements criticizing the TTP's interpretation of jihad and urged its members to defect.

Yousafzai said ISKP seeks to establish a broader regional "Khorasan" entity spanning parts of South and Central Asia. The TTP, by contrast, aims to impose a Taliban-style governance system in Pakistan's former tribal areas, modelled on the Afghan Taliban's approach in Afghanistan. The ideological rivalry between the two groups has increasingly spilled over into direct confrontation in areas like Kurram.

Who is commander Kazim and why is he wanted?

Kazim is described by officials as a prominent militant commander in Kurram and is wanted in connection with sectarian violence in the region, including attacks targeting members of the Shia community in Parachinar.

Pakistan's Counter Terrorism Department placed him at the top of its list of 1,351 wanted militants last year, with a PKR 30 million bounty announced for information leading to his arrest or neutralization. The cumulative rewards across that list total PKR 4.141 billion.