Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is gearing up for another operation in Kurram district after attack by unknown armed individuals killed at least six people including five security personnel. At least 15 people were injured in the attack.
Authorities had despatched around sixty trucks for Kurram carrying food items and medicine for the isolated district from Thall in Hangu on Monday. However, only nine trucks managed to reach Kurram and at least 20 had to be turned back to Thall.
According to Police, most of the returning trucks were looted on their way back. Several trucks were burned after looting.
In the first attack by militants, one truck driver and one security official were killed. Three drivers were injured as well. Security forces responded with fire of their own with assistance from a helicopter. At least eight people, including two women were injured by the firing from security forces.
As an operation began to rescue the stranded trucks and security personnel, militants launched another attack on security forces. At least three vehicles belonging to security forces were burned while four security personnel were killed and four injured.
KP government Spokesman Barrister Saif said that the government has decided to take ‘strict action’ against the militants who attacked and looted the convoy on Monday. He added that the action would be especially targeted in the areas where the convoy was attacked.
The convoy had been the first to depart for Kurram in over a week and had been escorted by heavy security. It departed as a KP cabinet meeting was told that there is no shortage of essential items in the district.
Kurram has been cut off from the rest of the country for the last four months due to an armed conflict between Shia and Sunni tribes. Aid convoys to the district have been attacked several times on the Thall-Parachinar Highway, the main road leading into the district. Despite an operation by the government to demolish bunkers and confiscate weapons from the district after a jirga decision, the peace remains fragile.
