Four months of bloodshed: Pakistan’s Kurram faces crisis amid clashes

A months-long sectarian conflict in Kurram district has left nearly 200 people dead, displaced thousands, and cut off essential supplies, turning the region into a humanitarian crisis.

Despite repeated government interventions, the violence persists, with armed groups attacking convoys, burning villages, and carrying out targeted killings.

The unrest, which escalated in November, stems from a decades-old land dispute in the Parachinar-adjacent village of Boshehra. The conflict has since evolved into full-scale sectarian violence, with militants from both Shia and Sunni factions engaging in bloody clashes.

Tensions exploded on Nov. 21 when gunmen ambushed a convoy of 200 vehicles in the Bagan area, killing more than 50 people, including women and children.

In retaliation, a large-scale attack was launched on Bagan the next day, destroying 400 homes and 800 shops. Attackers abducted women and executed religious scholars on camera, further fueling the cycle of violence.

Local authorities attempted to broker peace through tribal negotiations. On Jan. 1, under the mediation of Kohat Commissioner, an agreement was reached between Shia and Sunni tribes to dismantle bunkers and cease hostilities.

However, the deal collapsed just days later when Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud and his security detail were attacked on Jan. 4.

Government response

The provincial government, led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, claims that foreign elements are stoking the flames of sectarianism in Kurram. "This is not just a land dispute; external forces are exploiting the situation," Gandapur said.

Following the collapse of the peace deal, the government launched a military operation, evacuating four villages in Lower Kurram and deploying gunship helicopters to destroy over 150 militant bunkers. Security forces also began seizing illegal weapons from locals. Despite these efforts, the violence has not subsided.

For 143 days, the Parachinar-Tall Road, a critical supply route, has remained blocked, leading to acute shortages of food and medicine. Hospitals in Parachinar are overwhelmed, reporting rising deaths due to lack of medical care. Aid convoys attempting to reach the area have repeatedly come under attack.

On Jan. 16, a 35-truck convoy carrying food and medical supplies was ambushed near Bagan, with only two vehicles making it back. Six drivers and two security personnel were killed, while six attackers were also neutralized. Another convoy of 100 vehicles was targeted on Feb. 17, resulting in the deaths of five security personnel and a driver.

Armed groups defy crackdown

Despite security operations, militant groups continue to operate with impunity. Authorities have registered cases against 57 suspected terrorists, launched search operations, and announced bounties for key figures. However, armed factions remain active, allegedly wielding weapons left behind by U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iranian-made arms.

Adding to the crisis, both sides are using social media to publicize their attacks, while inflammatory mosque announcements further inflame tensions.

With no resolution in sight, the people of Kurram remain trapped between warring factions, struggling to survive in an increasingly desperate situation.