PARACHINAR, April 15: A tenuous ceasefire was enforced in Balishkhel, Sadda, Khwar Killay and Sangeena areas of the Kurram tribal region on Tuesday after 11 days of fierce clashes between rival factions, which left over 50 people dead and more than 100 wounded.

Sources said that in the first phase rival groups started vacating their positions in Sadda and Balishkhel areas of Lower Kurram on Tuesday evening and paramilitary forces backed by army troops were seen taking positions in the embattled areas.

The rival groups agreed on ceasefire after negotiations with Kohat Regional Coordination Officer Umar Afridi and Political Agent Syed Zaheerul Islam.

Officials said the two factions had agreed to cease fire and vacate hilltops in the troubled areas of the Kurram region bordering Afghanistan.

However, sources said, sporadic clashes continued in Parachamkani and Kirman, and Pewar and Tangi areas on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

The political agent and the Kohat RCO said talks would be held with the warring groups on Wednesday in these areas to persuade them for a ceasefire. At least one person was killed and six others injured in clashes on Tuesday morning. Umar Afridi arrived in Parachinar on Sunday and held talks with the elders to persuade the tribesmen to cease fire. A 16-member jirga was already in the area, but it had failed to stop hostilities. The clashes had erupted in the area after an attack on a convoy near Khar Kali in Lower Kurram. Officials said that after ceasefire the road between Thall and Parachinar would be reopened for traffic to evacuate wounded people from the area and resume supply of food items.

Meanwhile, hundreds of students held a protest demonstration in Parachinar on Tuesday after the authorities postponed matriculation examinations in the region due to the clashes.

The students assembled in front of the office of the political agent and chanted slogans calling upon the authorities to safeguard their future. Matriculation examinations started in the Kohat region and its adjacent tribal areas on Tuesday.

Agencies adds: Minister for States and Frontier Regions Najmuddin Khan on Tuesday informed the National Assembly that the road link to the Kurram Agency would be opened within days after formation of the Hangu jirga. Speaking on a call-attention notice, he said the prime minister had asked adviser on interior Rehman Malik to personally look into the matter.