KURRAM: Police and security forces were deployed in various areas of Kurram district after a ceasefire was brokered on Tuesday following six days of intense clashes that claimed the lives of at least 49 people and injured another 225.

Deputy commissioner Javedullah Mehsud said the firing had stopped after a tribal jirga brokered ceasefire between the rival groups feuding over a land dispute. He said the armed men of the two sides had vacated their positions where security forces and police were deployed.

Members of the jirga that brokered the ceasefire, the GOC Kohat, Kohat division DIG Sher Akbar Khan and commissioner Syed Mutasim Billah Shah were present in Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram district, to oversee efforts made for a lasting peace in the region.

Mr Billah said bunkers occupied by the two sides had been handed over to the police and security forces. He praised the jirga for managing to broker the ceasefire.

He was speaking at a meeting of a jirga comprising divisional leaders and tribal elders held in the office of the Kurram deputy commissioner.

Mr Billah said efforts would be made to build public trust and restore lasting peace in the region.

Meanwhile, the main Parachinar Road remained closed to traffic for the seventh consecutive day due to the prevailing tense situation in the region.

Kurram traders said they had incurred huge losses due to closure of roads in the district. They said the roads’ closure had led to shortage of medicines and food items in the district.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2024