KURRAM: Fighting stopped between rival tribes over land dispute in Kurram district after five days of clashes as the administration with the support of parliamentarians and elders negotiated a ceasefire on Thursday.

Officials said that contingents of law enforcement agencies, including paramilitary and police personnel, were sent from Parachinar to the troubled Balishkhel and Para Chamkani in Lower Kurram where clashes occurred over the ownership of Shamilat (community land) since Sunday.

They said that armed people vacated their positions in both areas after deployment of troops. The ceasefire was announced in Parachinar. As many as 14 people, including a paramilitary soldier, have been killed and over 40 wounded in the clashes.

Deputy commissioner Shah Fahed said that deployment of troops in troubled spots was underway. He said that Thall-Parachinar highway would be reopened to traffic while electricity to Parachinar was being restored.

The main transmission line has been damaged at several locations. He said that a powerful jirga would be constituted to resolve land disputes among the tribes in Kurram district.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2020