Gun Attack on Aid Convoy Injures Five in Violence-Hit Kurram District

In a tragic escalation of violence in Pakistan’s northwestern Kurram district, unidentified gunmen attacked an aid convoy on Saturday, leaving five people injured, including Deputy Commissioner (DC) Javedullah Mehsud. The convoy was en route to deliver much-needed relief supplies to the violence-hit area, which has been grappling with sectarian clashes for weeks.

The incident occurred near Bagan, a tense locality in the heart of Kurram. The district has been marred by tribal and sectarian violence since Nov. 21, when gunmen attacked a Shia passenger convoy, killing 52 and triggering a wave of unrest that has claimed 136 lives.

Details of the Attack

The attack targeted a 17-truck aid convoy carrying essential supplies, including tents, blankets, medical kits, and solar lamps, for the embattled district.

• Injured: DC Mehsud, his police guard, and three Frontier Corps (FC) personnel.
• DC’s Condition: Suffered gunshot wounds to his legs and shoulder but is now stable after being shifted to Tal Combined Military Hospital (CMH).

“The convoy has been temporarily halted, but clearance operations are ongoing, and it will resume shortly,” said Muhammad Ali Saif, a spokesman for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provincial government.

Humanitarian Crisis in Kurram

The ongoing clashes in Kurram have disconnected the district from the provincial capital Peshawar, leading to severe shortages of medicine, food, and fuel.

Provincial authorities have previously relied on helicopters to air-drop relief goods and evacuate injured residents to Peshawar. However, Saturday’s attack has further complicated these efforts.

Peace Agreement Under Threat

The attack comes just days after a peace agreement was signed between warring Sunni and Shia tribes. The agreement, brokered by a grand jirga of tribal elders, included commitments to:

• Demolish bunkers and hand over heavy weapons to authorities within two weeks.
• Impose fines of Rs10 million ($35,933) for violations of the agreement.
• Address land disputes with the cooperation of local tribes.

However, the ambush on the aid convoy casts doubt on the sustainability of the peace efforts in the region.

Government’s Response

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the attack.

“This is a deliberate and nefarious attempt to sabotage peace efforts,” said CM Gandapur. “The government will not rest until peace is fully restored.”

The provincial government has urged both Sunni and Shia communities to uphold the peace agreement and avoid falling prey to conspiracies aimed at destabilizing the region.

Key Takeaways

• Violence Escalates: Gun attack injures five, including top official leading aid efforts.
• Humanitarian Crisis: Relief efforts hampered by ongoing unrest and road blockades.
• Peace Agreement Fragile: Ambush puts the recently signed peace deal at risk.