After a week-long clash between warring religious groups in Kurram
district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a peace agreement was reached
between the parties on Sunday. However, according to some reports,
the sounds of firing from modern and automatic weapons have been
heard on Sunday and Monday night. There have also been reports of
casualties as a result of the week-long conflict, but this has not been
officially confirmed. According to Mohammad Jameel, a senior
journalist from Sida, the second largest town in Kurram, traffic
between Parachinar and Sida is still suspended due to tension. In a
conversation with Voice of America, he said that commercial and
business activities in the entire district, including the two big cities,
have been temporarily suspended. Clashes over land and property
disputes between warring Shia and Sunni sectarians in Kurram are
not new. The recent clash started when a controversial video with
communal content went viral on October 23, leading to the firing of
two brothers who had come from abroad. The police have also
registered a case against a person belonging to the Shia community
related to communal content, but his arrest could not be made. Later,
two people were killed when vehicles going to Parachinar from
Peshawar were targeted. That led to an increase in the tension in
Kurram. Moreover, two brothers belonging to the Shia community
were also shot dead in Parachinar. Journalist Muhammad Jameel
claimed in a conversation with Voice of America that 19 people have
been killed and 28 injured in the fighting that has been going on for
six days. Jameel said that the fighting between the two warring
groups, which has been going on for the past six days, intensified on
Saturday night. According to him, the parties freely used modern and
automatic weapons, which spread panic in the area and closed
business centers. According to him, after the intervention of local
tribal leaders, the parties agreed to a ceasefire on Sunday night, and
a peace agreement was reached. The peace agreement stipulates
that the parties will live in peace and brotherhood in the region. The
agreement states that no other person will be allowed to disturb the
law and order of the area. The parties have also agreed to vacate
fronts and not to create new fronts. It should be noted that many
people including teachers lost their lives in communal riots in Kurram
in May, July, and August this year.
English translation from Shamim Shahid, Urdu Voice of
America) https://www.urduvoa.com/a/ceasfire-after-days-of-sectarian-
violence-in-kurram/7332518.html