Hostilities between tribes in Kurram continue unabated despite an operation to rid the area of weapons and bunkers. However, the government has expressed optimism that another aid convoy will be able to set off for the beleaguered district on Wednesday.

Government sources said that the search and clearance operation in Lower Kurram that began on January 19 concluded on Wednesday. Authorities have claimed to have confiscated heavy weapons during the search operation. However, the area remains under curfew.

Local sources told Khabar Kada that the main highway leading to Kurram is still closed for all kinds of traffic and the district remains isolated from the rest of the country. As a result of the road blockage, direly needed essential supplies have still not reached Parachinar and surrounding villages.

In Baggan, tribal leaders have organised a sit-in calling for authorities to take decisive action and to ensure ample aid reaches the area.

A helicopter service is being operated between Kurram and Thall by the government and an aid convoy will be despatched by road as soon as security clearance is received.

The government also said that public and tribal leaders cooperated with authorities in the operation and helped provide information that allowed for law enforcement agencies to proceed.

The operation took place in Baggan and surrounding areas from January 19 to 22. During the process, law enforcement agencies made announcements in the area for people to willingly give up their weapons before action was taken against them.

Government sources say that talks with tribal leaders to bring lasting peace were also held simultaneously.

Kurram has been embroiled in violence between Shia and Sunni tribes for over three months. After long-winding talks brokered through a Grand Jirga, the government finally managed to get the the warring sides to sign a peace agreement.

Despite a sigh of relief from authorities that hostilities would finally end, the fragile peace was shattered after Kurram’s DC was injured along with five others in a firing incident on January 5. As the government tried to ensure that aid kept trickling into the district, the third convoy carrying food and medicine was ambushed in Lower Kurram, resulting in the deaths of ten people including two law enforcement officials.

The government then decided to conduct a search and clearance operation in the area and demolish bunkers to ensure stability. The operation also meant that dozens of families had to be temporarily displaced from the area to keep them out of harm’s way.