At least four security personnel were killed and six others wounded after an aid convoy came under attack in Pakistan’s restive Kurram district, an official said Tuesday.
The convoy, consisting of 64 vehicles, was ambushed Monday afternoon in the Uchat area, where gunfire continued for an hour. Ten civilians, including a woman and a child, were injured, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media.
Security forces are still trying to reach the scene of fighting in Mandori area, but progress has been slow as the road network is cut off.
The situation in Kurram, which borders Afghanistan, remains tense, with authorities urging residents to stay indoors.
The district has long suffered from sectarian violence, with 189 people killed since October, according to officials. Efforts to restore peace remain uncertain after a key round of negotiations between Sunni and Shia leaders earlier this month ended without a major breakthrough.
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 peace negotiator, said discussions on a framework for surrendering weapons were ongoing.
A humanitarian crisis has worsened the situation in Kurram. In December, a severe medicine shortage led to the deaths of 31 children, prompting nationwide protests.
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