Attack on aid convoy claims nine lives in Kurram

The crisis in Kurram is lingering on after a recent attack on an aid convoy claimed the lives of two security personnel and seven drivers. 

The local police said that apart from the two security officials, three drivers were also killed in the terrorist attack. Additionally, the bodies of four of the five drivers who went missing were later found, taking the total number of martyred drivers to seven.

Local traders reported that after Thursday's attack, the trucks were looted and set on fire by miscreants.

Earlier, it was reported that one officer was martyred in the terrorist attack on a convoy going to Kurram, while six attackers were killed and ten injured in the retaliatory operation of the security forces.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Shaukat Ali said in a statement that three vehicles in the convoy were damaged in the attack. This was reportedly the first phase of the third convoy in which a freight of 35 vehicles was sent. The aid included medicines, vegetables, fruits and other essential items.

Assistant Commi­ssioner Hangu Manan Saeed told the media that the incident took place in the Bagan area, where the vehicles were attacked with rockets and automatic weapons on the way to Kurram.

After the attack, rival factions of Talo Kunj and Badshah Kot and Chardeval, Jalmay, Irfani and Alizai were entrenched against each other, raising fears that the incident could re-trigger sectarian clashes across the Kurram district.

Later, two gunship helicopters also reached Bagan.

Dawn quotes security sources as saying, “Reportedly, militants have burnt seven loaded vehicles and also diverted few vehicles of convoy to Jarhani area (Lower Kurram near Bagan) for unloading.” 

Another 15 trucks, which were looted, returned to  Thall town from where they started the journey while only one vehicle still loaded with goods managed to reach safely."

Notably, a heavy contingent of police, FC and security personnel were deployed for the security of the convoy.

After the terrorist incident, the second aid convoy going to Parachinar was halted and sent back.

 
It merits mentioning that members of a Grand Jirga recently negotiated a peace accord on the first day of the new year, but the situation on the ground is far from normal.

This was the third aid convoy being sent to Parachinar after the second one came under attack.

The first convoy reached Parachinar on January 8 while the rest remained stuck on the Hangu-Kurram border for several days post a January 4 attack that left deputy commissioner Kurram Javedullah Mehsud and six others wounded by gunshots. 

 Former MNA Pir Haider Ali Shah and others condemned the incident and reminded the government of its promise made at the time of the peace agreement to open roads and take immediate action in the event of attacks to establish a long-lasting peace.