According to AFP, 13 more people have been killed in sectarian clashes in Pakistan’s Kurram district over the past two days, raising the death toll to 124 over the past two weeks. A local government official disclosed that the most recent deaths include two individuals from Sunni tribes and 11 from Shia tribes. More than 50 people have been injured, and skirmishes continued into Saturday morning.
Local officials confirmed that the ongoing violence has surpassed 120 fatalities. The police have stated that neither side is willing to negotiate, which complicates efforts to restore peace.
An unnamed government official told AFP that deep mistrust between the two sides is a major barrier, with neither willing to adhere to a government-mandated ceasefire. Despite the provincial government announcing a seven-day ceasefire last week, it has not been implemented.
A senior security official in Peshawar corroborated the death toll and warned that further escalation remains a possibility. The official also noted that measures announced by the provincial government to restore law and order have not been enforced effectively.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur attended a public gathering in Kohat on Saturday to address the ongoing violence. He was accompanied by provincial advisor Barrister Saif, Aftab Alam, Shehryar Afridi, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police, Chief Secretary, Commissioner, and other senior officials. According to Barrister Saif, the government plans to work towards a permanent resolution after achieving a cessation of hostilities. He stated that serious steps are being taken to resolve the issues in Parachinar, the district’s central area.
Kurram is the only tribal district in Pakistan that borders Afghanistan on three sides, while its fourth side connects to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Upper Kurram has a Shia majority population, whereas Lower Kurram is predominantly Sunni. The region has long been a flashpoint for sectarian tensions, often aggravated by land disputes.
The main road linking Kurram with other districts frequently becomes a battleground, with each sectarian group targeting the other. In recent years, security measures have been tightened, and vehicles are escorted in convoys to prevent attacks. However, these measures have not been sufficient to prevent the resurgence of violence.
The latest violence began as a land dispute but quickly spiralled into full-blown sectarian conflict. Efforts to mediate between the two communities have repeatedly failed, as deep-seated mistrust and grievances remain unresolved.