KURRAM: Fresh clashes between rival groups in Kurram district left at least 10 more people dead on Wednesday, pushing the death toll from five days of fighting to 30 with 70 others injured.

The police and hospital sources said that the clashes started after Boshehra tribes of upper Kurram started setting up bunkers on the lands of Ahmadzai tribes. They added that the fight spread to other areas.

They said that 10 people were killed and 30 others were injured in fresh clashes in Balishkhel, Sadda, Khar Kallay, Peewar, Maqbal and other areas. They said that the main Parachinar highway and other roads in the area remained closed to traffic due to the clashes.

They said that all educational institutions in the area had also been closed for an indefinite period.

Local residents said that the rival groups used heavy weapons to target each other’s positions.

Kurram deputy commissioner Javedullah Mahsud said that his administration was making efforts through a tribal jirga to ensure the warring tribes ceased fire. He said that the jirga members had been dispatched to different areas for the purpose.

Meanwhile, the Kurram bar association has moved a local court over the frequent tribal clashes and lawlessness, which has made the life of common people miserable.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2024