PARACHINAR, Jan 14: Warring groups in the Kurram tribal region signed an agreement on Monday to end hostilities that have left over 300 people dead and more than 500 wounded.

Sources said that under the agreement each side would deposit by Jan 31 Rs20 million in cash and another Rs40 million as surety to abide by the agreement and any side violating the terms of the agreement would lose the money.

About 100 elders from each group signed the agreement in Parachinar. Political Agent Zaheerul Islam and 16 members of the peace committee were present on the occasion.

Clashes which broke out in the region on Nov 16 caused widespread damage and even forced many families to migrate to Afghanistan. Parachinar remained under curfew most of the days during the period.

Tribal elder Sardar Khan told Dawn that the warring groups would start vacating their positions in upper and lower Kurram from Tuesday. The administration would deploy paramilitary troops at sensitive places in the region.Under the agreement, the rival factions would not attack travellers on the Thall-Parachinar road and any other road in the area.

The sources said that the peace committee comprising elders of the Orakzai tribal region and Hangu district would continue its efforts to sort out other issues between the rivals to pave the way for a durable peace in the region.