Kurram — A soldier was martyred while six terrorists were killed after security forces retaliated to an attack on an aid convoy carrying essential goods for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s violence-marred district of Kurram, local administration said on Thursday.
“A soldier is martyred and four others sustained injuries in the attack,” said Additional Deputy Commissioner Shaukat Ali, adding that three vehicles in the aid convoy were damaged.
In response, security forces gave a befitting response to the attackers, killing six terrorists and injuring 10 others, he added.
Security sources told Geo News that assailants targeted the convoy today by carrying out heavy firing on cargo trucks carrying medicines, vegetables, fruits, and other food items.
They added that the terrorists fled from the scene after facing heavy losses due to the timely response of security forces and police. A search operation was also conducted in the affected region to wipe out any other terrorists, they said.
The sources confirmed that 10 vehicles have safely reached Alizai — a town in the Kurram district — while the remaining vehicles were stopped for security reasons.
It was a major setback to the peace agreement that finally allowed aid to be sent to the restive region which remained in the spotlight for months following a wave of tribal violence that claimed over 130 lives and resulted in the closure of routes for over 100 days.
According to the district administration, the incident occurred when the first phase of the third aid convoy was heading to Kurram through Bagan including 35 cargo vehicles.
In the aftermath, vehicles from the convoy have begun to return to Tal, according to Geo News. Meanwhile, cargo trucks that had been at the Chapri checkpoint are also heading back.
The administration said that additional vehicles were expected to depart for Kurram in the second phase later today.
To ensure the convoy’s safety, the authorities deployed police, Frontier Corps (FC), and other security forces.
Difficulties for patients
Meanwhile, the helicopter service for patient transfers from Kurram has been suspended for the past 10 days, causing severe difficulties for patients in the region.
Dr Mir Hussain Jan, Medical Superintendent (MS) of the District Headquarters Hospital, spoke to Geo News and confirmed that the helicopter service, crucial for transporting medicines and patients, has been out of operation for the last 10 days.
He mentioned that the district administration has already sent a letter requesting the resumption of the service.
Dr Jan further revealed that a request had been made to the district administration for the transfer of 74 patients, as it seems unlikely that patients will be able to be transferred by road under the current circumstances.
However, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Religious Affairs Muhammad Adnan Qadri claimed that the helicopter service for Kurram district continues to operate.
‘Not good enough’
The government has so far sent two consignments of aid for Kurram during the last two weeks, with the latest one to reach the tribal region on January 14.
Whereas, the residents have said that 25 truckloads of goods were “not good enough” and urged the government to ensure the provision of medicines and resume the heli-service for shifting the patients requiring advanced treatment.
However, the district administration reaffirmed efforts for the opening of routes and passage of more relief convoys.
Moreover, Kurram Deputy Commissioner Ashfaq Khan said four bunkers had so far been removed as per the agreement and more bunkers will be dismantled in Kurram.
“Efforts for implementation of all provisions of the peace agreement are underway,” he added.
Kurram has been in the storm’s eye for months following a wave of tribal violence, erupting in November 2024, that claimed over 130 lives and resulted in the closure of routes for over 100 days.
However, a peace deal was reached between the warring tribes under the negotiations facilitated by the Grand Jirga, the Kurram Peace Committee, and local peace groups.
These talks resulted in an agreement to remove blockades and allow the transportation of relief goods in line with the 14-point agreement negotiated by tribal elders.
However, the situation remains precarious. — (Geo News)
