The process of demolishing bunkers in Kurram began once again on Tuesday with the government also exploring ways to confiscate weapons from the province.

According to official sources, there are a total of around 200 bunkers in Kurram and the government has managed to demolish 10 so far.

The decision to resume the process was taken by authorities after a meeting with tribal elders in Kohat’s commissioner office on January 28.

The sources also said that tribal elders on both sides were taken into confidence before the process of demolition began.

Sources also added that the elders have consented to weapons being handed over to the district administration. However, the details of how this will take place are still being debated by both sides.

The confiscation of weapons and demolition of bunkers in Kurram was part of the peace agreement brokered by the grand jirga held in early January. The jirga had taken place to bring an end to an armed conflict between Shia and Sunni tribes in the district which had been raging for over three months and had claimed hundreds of lives.

The government views the removal of bunkers as an essential step in bringing lasting peace to the area and making sure that fighting does not break out again.

Meanwhile, the government is hoping to despatch another convoy of aid trucks to Kurram after security clearance is received for the Thall-Parachinar highway. Aid has been flowing into the district at regular intervals since the government completed a search and clearance operation in Lower Kurram from January 19-21, with fuel tankers arriving for the first time on Tuesday.