Death toll in Kurram surpasses 100

Clashes in Kurram Agency have claimed more than 100 lives as of Thursday. 

Despite a ceasefire agreement between the parties, reports suggest that sporadic attacks between tribes have been happening in the border region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The clashes entered the second week today as one person was killed in Ghozghari, Upper Kurram, while gunfights continued in Ghozgahri, Matasangar, Maqbal and Kunj Alizai areas.

A mortar shell also hit the Bassu Camp of Frontier Constabulary (116 Wing) in Upper Kurram, injuring two FC personnel.

On November 24, a ceasefire agreement was reached between the parties in Kurram after the intervention of government and tribal officials. 

Information Advisor to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Barrister Saif, claimed on Sunday that the two sides had agreed to a seven-day ceasefire in addition to returning the hostages and bodies of dead, but local police says that clashes between different tribes have not stopped.

However, the exchange of prisoners and dead bodies has been completed, according to Dawn.

Local tribal leaders, including an ex-MNA, handed over the four female and a male hostage to the Kurram Militia in the presence of the wing commander and Lower Kurram Assistant Commissioner. 

Similarly, one of the warring parties handed over the dead bodies of victims to the district administration, which was later given to the relatives.

Clashes have been going on intermittently for 8 days. The number of lives claimed so far has reached 110, while the number of injured has surpassed 150.

According to the district administration, the Peshawar-Parachinar main highway has been closed for the last 8 days after an attack was reported on the convoy of 200 vehicles.

Initially, 44 deaths were reported, but now the toll has reached 52.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Kurram Javedullah Mehsud says that trade with Afghanistan at the Kharlachi border has also been suspended due to the closure of the main highway.

Talking to BBC Urdu, Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud says that various steps are underway to establish peace, and a Grand Peace Jirga is being sent to the area for negotiations.

Additionally, due to the tense situation, internet and mobile phone services have also been suspended, which is why people are facing severe difficulties.

National Assembly Member from the area, Hameed Hussain, has warned that the conflict would expand across the country if steps were not taken to stop these armed clashes.