News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/29th July 2024
Tribal clashes in Khurram, a volatile district in Pakistan near the Afghan border, have resulted in at least 28 fatalities and 145 injuries. The violence erupted between the Boshehra and Maleekhel tribes on Wednesday and has continued unabated into Sunday, despite intervention attempts by a local jirga, or tribal assembly, aimed at restoring peace.
The conflict has seen the use of advanced weaponry, including mortar shells and rocket launchers, as the warring tribes target each other’s settlements. Major cities in Khurram, such as Parachinar and Sadda, have been heavily impacted by the ongoing hostilities. According to Dr. Mir Hassan Jan, head of the District Headquarters Hospital in Parachinar, the casualties include 28 dead and 145 injured individuals who are currently receiving treatment at local hospitals.
The violence has had significant repercussions on the region’s infrastructure. The road connecting Parachinar to Peshawar has been closed due to the clashes, leading to economic losses for traders and farmers. The disruption has sparked frustration among local residents who blame the government for its failure to effectively manage and resolve the conflict.
Sajid Hussain Turi, a former federal minister from the region, has highlighted the severe shortages of food and essential medicines resulting from the unrest. He described the intensity of the conflict, noting that both sides are using heavy and small arms to bombard each other and surrounding villages.
Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has expressed strong disapproval of the violence. He warned that “no one will be allowed to take the law into their hands or disturb the peace of the area,” urging the conflicting tribes to resolve their disputes through traditional tribal methods facilitated by a jirga.
Khurram has a history of tribal and sectarian violence. A significant conflict that began in 2007 persisted for four years before it was finally addressed with the assistance of a jirga. The current situation underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining peace and order in this turbulent region.
The violence in Khurram has drawn attention to the broader issues of tribal conflicts and the difficulties in managing such disputes through traditional and modern means. The ongoing clashes not only highlight the immediate human cost but also the long-term implications for the stability of the region.
