Nine killed in northwest Pakistan property dispute, government orders police to ceasefire
PESHAWAR: The provincial government of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province on Friday instructed police to take necessary steps to end ongoing clashes over a property dispute in Kurram district that left nine people dead and dozens injured.
Located along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the region has seen deadly conflict between tribes and religious groups, sectarian clashes and militant attacks in the past. A major conflict began in Kurram in 2007 and continued for years before being ended with the help of jirgas, traditional meetings of tribal elders.
The current clashes over a land dispute erupted on Wednesday and quickly spread to several villages and neighbouring hamlets.
According to an official statement issued by the KP provincial government, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has instructed the district administration and police to ensure ceasefire.
“No one will be allowed to arbitrarily enforce the law or disturb the peace in the area,” Gandapur was quoted as saying. “The administration and police must ensure governance and rule of law in the area. The warring parties have also been asked to settle property issues through jirgas as per tribal traditions.”
Syed Mir Hassan Jan, medical superintendent at Kurram District Headquarters Hospital, said nine bodies and 58 injured people connected to the clashes had been brought to the hospital over the past three days.
Kurram district police officer Nisar Ahmad Khan said sporadic attacks were still continuing.
“The fighting intensifies at night,” he said. “Sporadical gunfights have been going on between the tribes for the past two days.”
Khan said a large number of police and army personnel have been deployed at different places to prevent any clashes.
“The jirga, district administration, army and police have intervened to quell the situation,” he added.
The road leading to Kurram has also been closed since the clashes began.
“The entrances and exits were closed to avoid any third party intervention,” the DPO said.
