Pakistan’s Kurram receives vital aid as military crackdown against militants continues

A third aid convoy, consisting of 60 vehicles loaded with essential supplies, has reached Pakistan’s Kurram district, located along the Afghanistan border, as the region grapples with a deepening humanitarian crisis amid an ongoing military operation in the Bagan area.

The convoy delivered chicken, eggs, vegetables, flour, sugar, cooking oil, and medicines to the area, which had been cut off from the rest of Pakistan for more than 100 days due to the closure of the Thal-Parachinar Road, the district's only major route.

Officials report that over 100 vehicles carrying critical supplies have reached the region since the blockade began. According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department, medicines worth PKR 120 million have been distributed in Upper and Lower Kurram to date.

Despite these efforts, local leaders say the aid is far from sufficient. Jalal Bangash, Secretary of Anjuman Hussainia, urged authorities to take emergency measures, citing the dire situation.

“The supply of food and medicine has completely run out, and markets are shut. The government must act to meet the needs of Parachinar’s 400,000 residents,” he said.

Military operation in Bagan

In Lower Kurram’s Bagan area, security forces have been conducting operations against militants for the past four days. Ground troops, supported by helicopters, have dismantled eight private bunkers and confiscated over 300 weapons, including AK-47s and pistols.

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

Residents have fled the area amid heavy gunfire and intermittent shelling, with district authorities reporting the displacement of 1,879 families—approximately 17,625 individuals.

A local resident, Wasim, described the situation to Nukta: “Security forces are recovering weapons, but most household heads remain in their homes to safeguard belongings.”

Government response

A high-level meeting chaired by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur addressed the ongoing crisis. The meeting approved the demolition of illegal bunkers, the dispatch of additional supply convoys, and the convening of a jirga to accelerate disarmament efforts.

Officials pledged “indiscriminate action” against militants and committed to making Kurram weapon-free. Compensation for affected residents was tied to their cooperation with authorities, and plans were made to restore the damaged Bagan Bazaar.

A history of conflict

Kurram, a volatile region along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, has long been a hotspot for sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shia communities.

The crisis escalated on Nov. 21, 2024, when an attack on a convoy traveling from Parachinar to Peshawar killed 43 people. Retaliatory violence left over 150 dead, more than 200 injured, and resulted in the closure of the main highway.

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

By December, the blockade had caused severe shortages, with health officials reporting the deaths of 31 children due to a lack of medicines. The crisis sparked nationwide protests, especially within Pakistan’s Shia community.

In January, a 14-point peace agreement aimed at resolving land disputes and enforcing disarmament was finalized by the Kurram Grand Jirga. Despite these efforts, violence persisted, delaying aid convoys and triggering further military operations.

On Jan. 17, following a deadly attack on a 35-vehicle convoy carrying food supplies, the government announced an operation targeting militants in Bagan. The joint effort involving the army, police, and Frontier Corps began on Jan. 19.