Pakistan launches large-scale operation in Kurram after deadly convoy attack

Police and security forces in Pakistan’s restive Kurram district have launched a large-scale operation following a deadly attack on a convoy supplying essential goods to Parachinar.

The operation targets militants in the Baggan, Manduri, and Ochat areas of Lower Kurram, specifically those involved in recent attacks and the looting of convoys carrying essential supplies to Parachinar.

Regional Police Officer (RPO) Abbas Majeed Marwat confirmed the development to Nukta, stating that the operation was launched in response to convoy attacks and the theft of essential goods. "So far, 30 militants have been arrested, while looted supplies and medicines have been recovered from five attackers," he said.

Raids are also underway in Kurram, Hangu, and Kohat to capture high-value militants with bounties on their heads. "Security personnel have been deployed in mountainous areas of Kurram and Hangu, and house-to-house searches are ongoing to ensure the arrest of wanted individuals," Marwat added.

Third attack

The third convoy attack occurred two days ago in the Mandori and Ochat villages of the district, killing eight people and injuring 20 others.

Earlier today, a First Information Report (FIR) was lodged with the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), naming 57 suspects, including militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The charges include terrorism, murder, attempted murder, and 10 other offenses.

Station House Officer Abdul Qasim of Ahmadi Shama, a police station in Lower Kurram, confirmed that the dead included six security personnel, a driver, and a civilian. The wounded comprised five security officials, six drivers, and nine civilians, including four women.

The FIR states that the convoy, consisting of 63 vehicles, came under attack from two locations. The assailants looted and torched 22 vehicles, while nine vehicles reached Alizai safely and 33 were turned back, Qasim said.

CTD officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said 10 attackers have been arrested so far, while efforts continue to apprehend more suspects.

Evacuations ahead of operation

In response to the attack, the Kurram district administration ordered residents of four villages—Ochat, Mandori, Dad Kamar, and Bagan—to evacuate.

The Deputy Commissioner’s office announced that evacuations aim to safeguard lives and property ahead of a security operation in the region.

Assistant Commissioner Kurram told Nukta that nearly 5,000 families reside in the affected areas. Many had already left after their homes were destroyed in the Bagan incident, while five more families evacuated since the operation’s announcement.

Deputy Commissioner Hangu Gohar Zaman said the administration has designated four sites, in addition to a camp in Thal, to accommodate displaced persons.

A new camp, Muhammad Khawaja Camp, has also been prepared with essential facilities, but no displaced persons from Kurram have arrived yet, he said.

“Many prefer relocating to relatives’ homes instead of moving to the camps,” Zaman added.

‘If govt wants to kill us, so be it’

Despite the looming operation, protest leaders remain defiant. Abdul Karim Orakzai, leader of the Baggan sit-in and a member of the Grand Jirga, told Nukta that demonstrators will neither call off their protest nor vacate the area.

“If the government wants to use force and kill us, so be it,” he said.

He demanded compensation for losses suffered in Baggan and called for an operation in Parachinar as well.

Bounties placed on suspects

Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has announced bounties for 14 proclaimed offenders in Kurram, offering up to PKR 30 million for their capture.

According to an official notification from the Home and Tribal Affairs Department, the highest bounty—PKR 30 million—has been placed on Kazim, a resident of Baggan. Other bounties include PKR 20 million for Amjad Ullah from Sadda and PKR 15 million for Mukaram Khan from Baggan.

Additional proclaimed offenders include Darwesh, Mansoor, Usama, Adam Saaz, Yaseen, Wazir Mehmood, Saif Ullah, Usman, Maulana Tayab, Noor Ullah, and Usman, with head money ranging from PKR 3 million to PKR 10 million.

Authorities have urged the public to provide information on these individuals, assuring confidentiality and cooperation.