Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram District Extended Ceasefire for 10 More Days Amid Ongoing Tensions

KURRAM, Nov 27 – Deputy Commissioner Javed Allah Mahsud confirmed the extension of the ceasefire in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district for an additional 10 days, with both parties agreeing to vacate all positions starting tomorrow. This follows a week of deadly clashes that have resulted in the deaths of 80 individuals and injuries to 180 others.

According to Mahsud, the ceasefire extension is part of ongoing peace efforts, as both sides prepare to withdraw from their military positions. Additionally, both the police and the army will remain stationed in the district to maintain order.

In a briefing on the situation, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur welcomed the ceasefire, stressing that dialogue would be the primary route to resolve the dispute and achieve lasting peace. He also assured that compensation for the victims of the conflict would be addressed promptly, with financial assistance being provided to the families of those killed.

The peace talks, which have been ongoing for several days, have made significant progress after initial government mediation efforts. Following escalating violence that claimed dozens of lives and wounded hundreds, local tribal factions agreed to a seven-day ceasefire on November 24, but sporadic gunfire continued despite the agreement.

On the night of November 27, firing between tribal groups in Lower Kurram resulted in one death and four injuries. Authorities confirmed that both sides were adhering to the ceasefire conditions, including the release of hostages and the return of bodies.

The conflict in Kurram, primarily driven by sectarian divisions among local tribes, escalated after an attack on passenger vehicles on November 21 that killed 43 people, mostly women and children. Despite the ongoing tensions, the government’s efforts to de-escalate the situation through tribal mediation have led to cautious optimism for peace.

The government has emphasized the importance of maintaining the ceasefire and continuing negotiations to ensure that such violence does not recur. A comprehensive security plan is being implemented to safeguard transportation and restore normalcy in the region.