At least 152 dead, 245 injured in sectarian clashes in Pakistan's northwest amid ceasefire efforts

At least 152 people have died and around 245 injured in sectarian clashes that have marred the tribal district of Kurram, in Pakistan's northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, since Nov. 21.

Kurram, located near the Afghan border, is a flashpoint for sectarian violence in Pakistan owing to its history and geopolitical dynamics.

The fresh wave of violence erupted after at least 43 members of the Shia tribe were killed in brutal gun attacks. Gunmen targeted a convoy of vehicles traveling along the Parachinar-Peshawar highway. The shootings, lasting around 30 minutes in the Ochat area in the remote Kurram Agency, claimed the lives of women, children, and other civilians.

The provincial administration has twice announced ceasefires since, but all have collapsed.

According to Dr Aziz of the Basic Health Unit in Manduri, the medical facility has so far received 22 bodies and 34 injured individuals. Similarly, Dr. Rahim Gul, Medical Superintendent (MS) of Tehsil Headquarter Hospital, said his hospital has recorded five fatalities and injuries to 10 people.

Meanwhile, MS of the District Headquarters Hospital Dr. Mer Hasan Jan stated that 55 bodies and over 200 injured individuals have been brought to their hospital.

While there is no exact count of those brought to the hospital in the Alizai area, the in charge of the area's police control room, Mujahid, said at least 25 deaths have been reported to the police from Alizai.

However, he added that the police have not been able to independently confirm these as intense clashes were still ongoing in the Alizai and Bagan areas. "Bodies are lying on the streets; confirmation will only be possible after a ceasefire," he said.

KP CM visits Kohat

For the first time since the clashes, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur visited Kohat today to meet with tribal elders of both the Shia and Sunni communities in a bid to secure peace in the area. He was accompanied by the provincial police chief Akhtar Hayat and chief secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry.

Addressing the grand peace jirga (tribal council), the chief minister urged the federal government to deploy Frontier Corps personnel to bring the situation under control.

Gandapur directed law enforcement agencies to treat anyone disrupting peace with the "same severity as terrorists".

He urged both tribes to break down all fortifications and urged the tribal elders to remain in the region until complete peace is restored. "The provincial government will provide all possible support to the Jirga," Gandapur said.

Gandapur also appealed to the local community to identify those responsible for disturbing the peace. "Those causing unrest in the region should be reported by the local community," he said.

Additionally, the CM instructed the administration to collect all heavy weaponry held by local residents, including those in border areas, for safekeeping. "Anyone carrying weapons in the region would be considered a terrorist," he said.

Governor announces separate jirga

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, a representative of the federal government, has announced the formation of a separate jirga to address the ongoing issue in Kurram.

The jirga will include leaders from various political parties, Kundi revealed.

Speaking to the media, the governor stated that the council would convene tomorrow in Kohat, where discussions will focus on restoring peace and stability in the region. "We are committed to initiating talks with all parties involved to resolve the issue," Kundi said.

The governor also praised the Chief Minister's decision to visit Kohat today to address the situation. "It is a positive step in finding a solution to the Kurram issue," he added.

*Reporting by Kamran Ali