Violent Land Dispute Escalates in Kurram, Claims 45 Lives

At least 45 people have been killed and 200 injured in six days of clashes between warring tribes in Pakistan’s northwest Kurram tribal district adjacent to Afghanistan.

According to the district administration, eight more people lost their lives in the latest clashes on Sunday night. Mir Hassan Jan, the medical superintendent at the district headquarters hospital in Kurram, conveyed to The Media Line the dire situation, noting, “The death toll might further rise as several of the injured are in critical condition.”

Deputy Commissioner Javed Ullah Mehsud of Kurram district told The Media Line, “Most of the injured are receiving treatment at the district headquarters hospitals in Para-Chinar and the tehsil headquarters in Sadah.”’ 

He also noted that a “ temporary cease-fire” has been implemented in certain areas with “the support of the tribal elders, police, and the army.” Despite this, intense gunfire continued in various parts of Lower Kurram.

According to the police, the clash between the warring tribes Bushehra and Malikhel started over a land dispute that engulfed the entire area.

Ali Hussain, a senior police official, told The Media Line, “The warring tribes have been using modern weapons and ammunition without discrimination, leading to the destruction of hundreds of houses and significant loss of human lives.” He continued, “A police official stated that the conflict, initially sparked by a land dispute, has escalated into a sectarian-religious clash.”

Najeeb Ullah, a resident of Bushehra, told The Media Line, “Since the fighting began, internet and electricity supplies have been cut off, resulting in a severe shortage of daily necessities and food. The area has become isolated from the outside world due to the loss of internet services.”

“The main highways are still closed, and traffic is lighter in the tense areas, but the situation is now normal compared to previous days.”

Due to the worsening situation in the area, government offices and educational institutions have been closed indefinitely.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan demands an immediate ceasefire in Kurram and urges the government to take appropriate measures. In a statement, it was noted that rival tribes in the area have conflicted for several days due to a land dispute, which has exacerbated communal tensions.

The commission urged the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to intervene and promote a peaceful resolution to permanently halt the conflict.