In an armed clash between two tribes over a piece of land, at least 36 people were killed and 162 were injured in Pakistan’s restive tribal district in the northwest, officials on Sunday confirmed.
Officials claimed that severe clashes began five days ago in Boshera village, Upper Kurram district, which has previously seen deadly battles between tribes and religious groups, as well as sectarian violence and militant attacks. “There were at least four waves of attacks in last night’s gunbattle resulting in more casualties,” an official said.
According to Javedullah Mehsud, Deputy Commissioner Kurram, tribal skirmishes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district, which borders Afghanistan, have killed 36 people and injured 162 others in the last five days.
Officials, with the assistance of tribal elders, military leadership, police and district administration, mediated a truce between Shia and Sunni tribes in the Boshera, Malikhel, and Dandar districts recently, according to police. However, gunfire continues in other parts of the district.
An official stated that efforts were being made to reach a truce in the remaining areas. The tribal combatants have left the trenches, which are now under the hands of law enforcement.
Four days ago, clashes erupted between the two tribes over a land issue. The fighting expanded to neighbouring regions including Peewar, Tangi, Balishkhel, Khaar Kalay, Maqbal, Kunj Alizai, Para Chamkani, and Karman.
Local locals reported that rivals were deploying heavy and sophisticated weapons against one another, such as mortar bombs and rocket launchers. The Kurram tribal district’s main cities, Parachinar and Sadda, were targeted with mortar and rocket shells, according to reports.
All educational institutions and markets were closed, and traffic on major highways remained suspended throughout the day. Heavy police and security personnel have been deployed in the affected districts, officials said.
(with inputs from PTI)