Truce negotiated between warring tribes: Kurram Agency clash toll 14
Bureau Report
PESHAWAR, June 20: The administration on Tuesday negotiated a ceasefire between two tribes whose clash over a dispute on distribution of irrigation water had left 14 people dead and 35 others wounded during the past two days in Kurram Agency, officials said.
Sources said that the warring groups from Mali Khel and Bangash tribes had vacated their positions and paramilitary troops had taken over sensitive points and hilltops around Mali Khel and Bushara villages.
They said 14 bodies had been found in the area and 35 had been injured. Doctors said 29 wounded people had been brought to the agency headquarters hospital in Parachinar.
“The death toll may go up,” sources in Parachinar told Dawn. They said people from both the sides had been killed.
The agency’s political administration issued a press note, saying that a temporary ceasefire had been negotiated with the help of the elders of the area.
Army troops at Parachinar base camp were on alert to meet any eventuality, it said.
It said contingents of Kurram Militia and Kurram Levies had removed armed tribesmen from their positions and a committee was being constituted to resolve the dispute permanently.
Meanwhile, NWFP Governor Ali Mohammed Jan Orakzai directed the political administration to take measures for restoration of peace and tranquillity. According to a handout, he expressed concern over the clash.
He directed the political agent to dig out the causes of the dispute and initiate action against those responsible for the clash.
Mr Orakzai directed all political agents to identify the issues and flash points in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas that could end in inter-tribal or intra-tribal conflagration.
