Nine injured as gunmen once again attack aid convoy in Pakistan's Kurram district

Nine people were injured when attackers opened fire on an aid convoy Monday afternoon in Pakistan's Kurram district, an area plagued by sectarian violence, officials said.

The 64-vehicle convoy came under attack around 1 p.m. in the Uchat area, where gunfire continued for an hour, according to sources who spoke to Nukta. Intermittent shooting continued at press time.

Four drivers, a police officer and four civilians were taken to Mandori Basic Health Unit for treatment, said Dr. Aziz, a hospital official. Among the injured civilians were a young girl and a woman, who were hit by security forces' retaliatory fire. The drivers and police officer were wounded in the initial attack.

Local residents had attempted to loot the convoy, triggering a response from security personnel at nearby checkpoints, sources said. Security forces fired on the attackers and dispatched a helicopter to control the situation. Officials urged residents to stay indoors as gunfire persisted.

'189 people have died'

Meanwhile, in a briefing to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet, it was revealed that 189 people have died in unrest in Kurram since October. Nine convoys with 718 vehicles carrying essential supplies and two helicopters have been deployed.

According to CM House, 19,000 kilograms of medicine have been sent to Kurram, and 151 bunkers have been destroyed, with a deadline of March 23 for the complete dismantling of all bunkers.

A special security force is being set up for Kurram Road, with 120 security posts and 407 personnel. The posts will be equipped with supplies worth PKR 764 million. The restoration of Baggan Market is estimated at PKR 480 million.

Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Advisor to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information, said the provincial government has taken serious notice of the attack on a convoy, with CM Ali Amin Gandapur directing authorities to take strict action against those responsible for disrupting peace.

"Miscreants are attempting to destabilize the situation, but the government will not allow anyone to sabotage law and order," he asserted.

The attack comes amid ongoing efforts to restore peace in Kurram, a region long plagued by sectarian violence. Earlier this month, a key round of negotiations between Sunni and Shia leaders ended without a major breakthrough, raising concerns about stability in the district.

The latest face-to-face jirga, held in Peshawar, focused on implementing a 14-point peace agreement signed on Jan. 1. While both sides agreed on disarmament and the demolition of bunkers, progress remains slow.

Eid Nazar Mengal Farooqui, a Sunni community representative, warned that peace would remain fragile without full disarmament.

“Some progress has been made in demolishing bunkers, but the next crucial step is for both sides to present their disarmament plan to the Grand Jirga,” he said.

Faizullah, another Grand Jirga member, said a framework for surrendering weapons was still being discussed. If no agreement is reached, the Grand Jirga will impose a final plan.

Authorities had set a Feb. 1 deadline for disarmament, but implementation has been delayed. However, Faizullah insisted, “The decision will be implemented without fail.”

Local officials say 24 bunkers have been dismantled in Khar Kali and Balish Khel, with more removals expected soon.

On Jan. 31, a government official and four other civilians were injured when gunmen ambushed a convoy in Upper Kurram, officials said.

Assistant Commissioner Syed Manan and the other injured were rushed to DHQ Hospital Parachinar. The convoy had been on a peace mission after a district-brokered ceasefire between two tribes.

On Jan. 4, seven people, including a local deputy commissioner, were injured when unidentified attackers opened fire on an aid convoy headed to Kurram.

The convoy was carrying essential supplies to the region, which had been cut off for 83 days.

A history of violence

Kurram, which borders Afghanistan, has long suffered from sectarian violence. Tensions escalated on Nov. 21, 2024, when an attack on a convoy from Parachinar to Peshawar killed 43 people.

By December, severe shortages had led to the reported deaths of 31 children due to a lack of medicines. Protests erupted nationwide, particularly among Pakistan’s Shia community. In January, the Kurram Grand Jirga brokered a peace deal, but sporadic violence persisted, delaying aid and prompting military operations.

On Jan. 17, a deadly attack on a food supply convoy led to a government crackdown in Bagan. Tensions flared again on Jan. 24 with the arrest of Shia leader Muzamil Hussain Agha. A Grand Jirga meeting the following day ended without resolution after one faction walked out.