ISLAMABAD, Jan 6: A lawmaker from Kurram Agency on Thursday expressed fears of an outbreak of fresh clashes in Parachinar after an attack by militants this week on a convoy carrying food and medicines to the area. “It is highly unfortunate that the convoy that was escorted by security agencies was attacked by Taliban. The incident not only shows the failure of security personnel but also indicates how strong the Taliban are in Kurram Agency,” MNA Sajid Hussain Turi said.

He said people in the area had great resentment over the attack on the food convoy for which they had been waiting for a long time because of a shortage of medicines and foodstuff.

“The government must purge the Thall-Parachinar road of armed militants, otherwise the Turi and Bangash tribes will come to ensure the safety of the road that would result in an unending war. The recent attack has flared the emotions of people in Parachinar.”

Talking to this reporter, Mr Turi, who is chairman of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on State and Frontier Regions, said 28 trucks loaded with medicines and food items had been taken away by Taliban.

“This is high time to launch a full-scale military action in Kurram Agency, otherwise the insurgency will engulf the adjoining areas, including Kohat, Hangu and Karak.”

He said that the attack was an attempt to stall a peace process between the warring tribes and many Turi and Bangash elders had refused to attend jirga meetings after it.