For the past five days, the Kurram district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially its headquarters, Parachinar, has been engulfed in fierce tribal clashes. This region, sharing a border with Afghanistan, has a troubled history of sectarian violence, predominantly between Shia and Sunni sects of Islam.
According to media reports, at least 36 people have been killed, and over 166 have sustained injuries in the recent armed confrontations, as reported by Dawn. However, social media accounts suggest a far grimmer scenario, claiming the death toll has exceeded 400.
Sectarian violence or land dispute?
The root cause of the conflict, as reported by mainstream media, is a land dispute between different tribes. These tribes are divided along sectarian lines, with some being Shia and others Sunni. The mainstream media’s coverage of the situation has been limited, yet social media platforms are flooded with reports of the clashes and casualties.
Over 400 Shia Muslim killed in the ongoing Shia-Sunni riots in Parachinar, Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Local Shia leaders are claiming that Sunni radicals & Pakistan Army both are targeting & killing the Shia minority and forcing them to leave the country & flee Iran pic.twitter.com/TrvFJ5hlHg
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) July 28, 2024
Many on social media have labelled the violence as a sectarian conflict, even calling it ‘genocide against the Shia community’. However, these claims lack confirmation, and it remains unclear which sect has suffered more in the ongoing clashes.
Javedullah Mehsud, the Deputy Commissioner of Kurram, confirmed the death toll and the number of injured individuals resulting from the tribal clashes.
The police have reported that a truce has been successfully negotiated between the Shia and Sunni tribes in the Boshera, Malikhel, and Dandar areas. This truce was facilitated by tribal elders, military leadership, police, and district administration.
History of sectarian clashes
Kurram district, formerly known as Kurram Agency, and particularly Parachinar, has a long history of sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni communities. These violent episodes have resulted in numerous casualties on both sides over the years.
The current clashes, though primarily sparked by a land dispute, are being interpreted by many social media users as part of the ongoing sectarian strife in the region.
Parachinar, located in the Kohat Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and bordering Afghanistan, has been the epicentre of fierce clashes that began approximately five days ago.
Tribal fighters have abandoned their trenches, which are now under the control of the police. The clashes, which began as a land dispute between two tribes four days ago, have rapidly spread to additional areas, including Peewar, Tangi, Balishkhel, Khaar Kalay, Maqbal, Kunj Alizai, Para Chamkani, and Karman.
Local residents report that the rival tribes are using heavy and sophisticated weapons, such as mortar shells and rocket launchers. They also mentioned that mortar and rocket shells were fired on Parachinar and Sadda, the main cities in the Kurram tribal district.
The violence reportedly stems from a land dispute involving common property shared by various tribes, with some factions claiming exclusive ownership. Historically, such disputes have been resolved through local jirgas (tribal councils) or at the government level, but they continue to flare up, leading to periodic violence.
Reports suggest that missiles were fired at Parachinar city and Sada during the night between Friday (July 19) and Saturday (July 20). Some sources have also claimed that Taliban fighters are involved in the conflict.
In response to the violence, internet and mobile phone services have been suspended in the area, and the main highway is closed to traffic.
Politics around violence
MNA Engineer Hameed Hussain reported that local hospitals and markets have run out of medicines. Member of Provincial Assembly Ali Hadi Irfani has called on the government to take immediate steps to enforce a ceasefire.
Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafari, Chairman of Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen Pakistan, has accused those responsible for the unrest in Parachinar of seeking war instead of peace.
In a press conference at the National Press Club in Islamabad, he emphasised that Kurram Agency is home to peaceful people, with no arms factories or drug dens. He condemned the recent violence and criticised the provincial government and law enforcement agencies for failing to restore peace. He urged the government to act swiftly to end the conflict.
Despite the implementation of a ceasefire in some areas of the Kurram district, sporadic firing continues in other parts. Efforts are underway to extend the ceasefire to all remaining areas, according to an official statement.
“There were at least four waves of attacks in last night’s gunbattle, resulting in more casualties,” an official stated.
On July 28, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed deep sorrow and concern over the ongoing armed clashes between tribal and sectarian groups in Kurram Agency district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Bhutto condemned the violence, asserting that no individual or group should be allowed to take the law into their own hands. He called on all parties involved to strictly adhere to the law and pursue peaceful resolutions to their disputes.
