Third ceasefire announced after sectarian clashes kill 152 in northwest Pakistan

Rival sectarian tribes in northwest Pakistan's Kurram tribal district have announced a ceasefire after 10 days of intense clashes that killed at least 152 people and injured around 245.

Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javeed Mehsud confirmed the truce.

"There is a complete ceasefire since morning, as even a single bullet has not been fired," he told Nukta. "Security forces, including police and the army, have been deployed in the area, and both parties have vacated violations."

The ceasefire marks the third such agreement in the last 10 days, with hopes it will hold this time amid efforts to stabilize the region.

The violence erupted on November 21 when gunmen attacked a convoy of passenger vehicles on the Parachinar-Peshawar highway, killing 43, including women and children, belonging to Shia community.

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Hospitals in the region reported high casualties. Dr Aziz of the Basic Health Unit in Manduri confirmed receiving 22 bodies and 34 injured. District Headquarters Hospital recorded 55 fatalities and over 200 injuries, while authorities in Alizai reported at least 25 deaths.

Clashes left bodies on streets in the Alizai and Bagan areas, where access was limited due to ongoing violence. Police official Mujahid stated, "Confirmation will only be possible after a ceasefire."

People mourn over the graves of relatives who were killed after gunmen opened fire on passenger vehicles in the Kurram tribal district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in Shalozan, Pakistan November 22, 2024. Reuters

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur visited Kohat on Saturday, meeting with tribal elders in a bid to secure peace. He urged the federal government to deploy Frontier Corps troops and directed law enforcement to treat anyone disrupting peace as "terrorists."

"Heavy weapons must be surrendered, and anyone carrying them will be treated as a terrorist," Gandapur said.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi announced a separate jirga to mediate the conflict. "We are committed to initiating talks with all parties to restore peace," Kundi told reporters.