Tribal elders said on Saturday that a ceasefire at two locations in lower Kurram was reached between the two groups, however, police said firing was reported in upper Kurram’s two areas.

Clashes erupted in the Kurram district on November 22, following an attack on a passenger convoy on November 21 that resulted in the deaths of 45 people, including women and children.

That sparked retaliatory attacks against the other community residents and there have been pitched battles between armed groups from both sides.

Armed men have engaged in a tribal and sectarian rivalry for decades over a land dispute in the Kurram district near the Afghanistan border.

Local authorities, police, military leadership, and tribal elders made efforts to establish a ceasefire, leading to a complete cessation of hostilities at two locations. But fighting remained active in two areas of upper Kurram.

Both sides targeted each other with heavy and automatic weapons. In the evening, a mortar shell fell in the village of Kanj Alizai, resulting in one death and three injuries.

Sources stated that crossfire continued between the areas of Pehwar, Trimangal, Kanj Alizai, and Maqbal.

The district administration officials stated that recent clashes have killed 80 people, with over 150 more injured. In the past 10 days, various incidents of gunfire in the Kurram district have resulted in 124 fatalities.

After a week, internet and mobile services have been restored in Kurram district. It merits here mentioning that 4G internet service was suspended for two months.

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Furthermore, the Parachinar-Tal Road and the Pak-Afghan Kharlachi border remain closed for all traffic and trade activities.

According to the All Teachers Association, all public and private educational institutions in the district have been closed for the past eight days.

Tribal elders said that road blockages have resulted in shortages of food, medicines, and fuel in Parachinar. Hospital sources stated that the lack of available medicines was hindering quality treatment for the injured.

A group of judicial officers and staff, including two judges and 25 other personnel, have been stranded in Parachinar since Nov 21 due to the deteriorating law and order situation in Kurram district, Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

Despite the passage of 10 days, authorities have yet to devise a plan to rescue the trapped individuals.

Sadda Tehsil Bar President Naimatullah Khan Advocate expressed “deep concern” over the situation and urged relevant authorities to take action to evacuate judicial staff by helicopter, ensuring their safe return.