PESHAWAR / KURRAM: According to officials, a convoy of 61 cars delivering relief supplies arrived in Kurram on Wednesday under strict security.
Police, district officials, and security personnel escorted the caravan, which was carrying flour, medications, and veggies. It traveled via Bagan, the scene of a fatal attack on a similar convoy on January 16 that killed eight truck drivers and two security guards, to reach the Alizai neighborhood of the unrest-plagued Kurram district.
At 1pm, the convoy departed toward Parachinar. According to a source, “whoever is accountable for any unfortunate incident will face consequences.”
In the meantime, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government declared its intention to call a jirga made up of the signatories to the peace agreement between the warring factions in Kurram on December 31, 2024. Reminding them of their responsibilities to uphold district law and order is the goal.
The provincial police chief, additional chief secretary (home), and other officials attended a meeting presided over by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur. An official announcement states that it was agreed that the district’s bunker destruction would start up again right away, under close supervision. Priority would also be given to making arrangements for those who are temporarily relocated.
The need of the public representatives and political leadership taking concrete action to bring about peace was emphasized at the discussion. It also reaffirmed a pledge to take nondiscriminatory action against militants and extremists on all sides.
The group decided that both sides needed to present the government with a plan for de-weaponizing the district as soon as feasible. With assistance from other law enforcement organizations, the district administration and police will spearhead attempts to apprehend offenders included in FIRs.
In order to guarantee legal action against those who disturb the peace, the administration also made the decision to detain those involved and those who assist them. In order to ensure security, the police will finalize plans for both temporary and permanent recruitment, and special contingents may be sent to guard Kurram Road.
“A uniform narrative on the Kurram situation will be presented to the media, and negative propaganda will be effectively countered,” the statement said, adding that “steps will be taken immediately for the restoration and beautification of Bagan Bazaar.”
The military action is over.
After four days, a military-led operation against criminals in Kurram’s Ochat, Charkhel, Dadkamar, and Zarana districts came to an end on Wednesday.
According to the district government, eight bunkers were destroyed and a sizable arsenal of weapons was seized. Officials threatened to take severe measures if the peace deal was broken.
Following a fatal retaliatory attack on a convoy of 200 passenger cars traveling from Parachinar to Peshawar on November 21, the Thall-Parachinar Road has been closed. More than 130 people were killed in the Bagan incident, which also led to armed conflicts between two parties.
Bagan Bazaar was attacked within 36 hours, resulting in the burning of 600 homes and more than 500 stores. In Kurram, the road closure has resulted in acute food and medication shortages.
A seven-day truce that was mediated by a KP government committee on November 23 was extended. Later, on December 31, a fragile peace agreement was negotiated by a grand jirga.
But on January 16, a relief convoy was assaulted, killing truck drivers and security guards, dealing a serious damage to the arrangement. This resulted in a January 19 military operation in Bagan.