November 23, 2024
By Ahmed Saeed
LAHORE
At least 25 more people have been killed, and over 100 injured, in a fresh wave of sectarian violence in the Kurram tribal district.
Businesses, educational institutions, and markets remained closed across Parachinar and surrounding areas in Kurram district.
On November 21, armed men attacked a convoy of 200 vehicles in the Bagan and Uchet areas of Lower Kurram, killing 44 people. Most of the deceased belonged to the Shia sect.
After the burials on Friday evening, a violent mob attacked the Sunni dominated villages of Bagan and Uchet, setting businesses and houses ablaze.
According to police, the warring factions from rival Sunni and Shia sects have been using heavy weapons against each other. The clashes have claimed the lives of 25 people, leaving over 100 injured. This incident led to escalating hostilities, with both sides fortifying their positions against each other.
The use of heavy and automatic weapons has caused widespread fear in the affected areas, prompting many families to flee their villages. A resident in Tall reported that several families have already arrived there, while others are relocating from Balishkhel, Kharkali, and Alizai.
In response to the deteriorating situation in District Kurram, senior government officials have arrived in Parachinar via helicopter. There were unconfirmed reports of firing at the helicopter from the ground but the district administration clarified that the helicopter had not been targeted in the crossfire between rival tribes in the district.
According to local journalists, there is currently disruption in mobile internet in many places in the Lower Parachinar area of Kurram district, while the mobile network is also not working properly in many places, due to which people are facing difficulties.
Meanwhile, the Awami National Party announced to observe a day of mourning across the province on November 25 over increasing incidents of terrorism in Pakhtunkhwa, including the Kurram massacre. Protest demonstrations would be held in front of the local press clubs at 2 pm in district headquarters across the province, the party said in an announcement. The party called on factions in the Kurrum district to exercise restraint to stop the ongoing bloodshed.