After weeks of intense violence, warring tribes in Kurram district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have agreed to a ceasefire, according to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) on Sunday. The clashes, which have lasted for 11 days, have resulted in 130 deaths and 186 injuries. Six more people were killed and eight injured in overnight fighting.
The violence began on November 21 with ambushes on two police-escorted convoys, leading to 52 deaths. Since then, tensions between the tribes have escalated, and law enforcement has struggled to regain control.
Kurram is currently facing a communication blackout with mobile and internet services suspended, and local schools closed. The main highway is also blocked, halting transportation and trade, particularly with Afghanistan. A previous ceasefire brokered earlier this week proved ineffective due to continued violence.
The DC confirmed that police and security forces have been deployed in the region, and tribal elders are working on reopening roads and finalizing a peace agreement. The provincial government is sending elders and parliamentarians to facilitate the peace process.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also stressed the need for peace during a jirga held in Kohat district. He called for the demolition of rival tribes’ fortifications, the confiscation of weapons, and the immediate resettlement of displaced victims. Gandapur also emphasized the importance of citizens’ cooperation for lasting peace in the region.
