Wounded Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud, along with six others, was airlifted to Peshawar after gunmen ambushed a convoy travelling to bring aid to a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region besieged by sectarian fighting on Saturday, the provincial government said.

“The injured deputy commissioner was airlifted to Peshawar and one injured guard was also transferred by helicopter to the city,” KP government spokesperson Muhammad Ali Saif said. “DC Javedullah Mehsud’s condition is stable.”

The Kurram region has been wracked by violence for decades, but around 140 people have been killed since a fresh bout of fighting broke out in November.

As feuding tribes have battled with machine guns and heavy weapons, the remote and mountainous region bordering Afghanistan has been largely cut off from the outside world.

After a truce was called on January 1, the convoy was attacked as it travelled to collect the first aid delivery of food and medicine sent by road since November, officials said.

Kurram’s deputy commissioner was wounded “along with two other administration officials, two policemen and two Frontier Corps soldiers”, local government official Motasim Billah told AFP.

He said the attack took place around 11:00 am (0600 GMT).

“Following the shooting incident, the injured were brought to various hospitals in Lower Kurram. Among the injured are DC Mehsud, Nazar Baz, Rafiullah, Rizwan, Wasal Khan, Haji, and Rakhmeen,” said a DG health service report.

Situation under control: Saif

Saif, who is also the adviser to the KP CM on information, the situation was “fully under control,” with security forces managing the area.

In a statement shared by the Associated Press of Pakistan, he described the attack as a “malicious act” by unidentified miscreants and appealed to local communities to remain peaceful and avoid falling victim to conspiracies.

“The convoy has been temporarily halted due to security concerns,” he said and added that the convoy would resume its journey shortly.

Earlier, he said that the DC had been shifted from Alizai Hospital to the CMH Thal for medical treatment.

Delivery of relief items to Parachinar halted

The delivery of relief items to the violence-hit Kurram district was halted on Saturday after gunmen ambushed a convoy travelling to bring aid near Bagan on Saturday.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif confirmed the incident to the media in a statement. Six others were also injured in the firing.

The deputy commissioner has been transferred to Lower Alizai Hospital in critical condition. Police confirmed that he would be airlifted to Peshawar for further medical treatment.

The police added that intermittent gunfire continued in the Baggan area of Lower Kurram for some time.

The Kohat regional police officer also confirmed the shooting incident and stated that the gunfire did not originate from any parties involved, but “rather came from unknown individuals.” A search operation has been initiated in the area to apprehend the suspects.

The aid package included the following items:

• Tents: 500

• Mats: 500

• Tarpaulins: 200

• Medical safety kits: 500

• Pillows: 500

• Solar lamps: 50

• Blankets: 500

• Beds: 500

• Sleeping bags: 150

Conspiracy intended to undo ceasefire: Naqvi

Numerous ceasefires have been touted by the provincial government since the latest fighting broke out, only to be broken with renewed clashes hours later.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said in a statement the attack was “a conspiracy” intended to undo the ceasefire agreed on New Year’s Day following a council of tribal leaders from both sides.

“Mischievous elements carried out the firing to harm the peace agreement,” he said in a statement.

Condemnation

President Asif Ali Zardari “strongly condemned” the firing incident and called for taking “strict action” against those elements trying to disrupt peace efforts in the area.

The president prayed for the swift recovery of the DC and others who were injured in the firing incident, the President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release.

President Zardari observed that miscreants wanted to stir chaos and stressed upon the people not to let such elements succeed in their malicious objectives.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the incident and prayed for the recovery of the injured.

“An attempt was made to damage the peace agreement,” Shehbaz said in a statement issued by the PM’s Office. “Those who disrupt law and order, and enemies of humanity will not be allowed to succeed. The government and security forces are actively working against terrorists.”

KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur sought a report of the incident from higher authorities and condemned the attack.

“The incident is a deliberate and nefarious but unsuccessful attempt to sabotage the government’s efforts for peace in Kurram,” Gandapur said in a statement issued by the CM House.

He vowed to take “strict action” against those involved in the firing in accordance with the law.

“The incident is the work of those who do not want peace to be restored in Kurram, Gandapur said.

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also condemned the shooting and described it a “cowardly act.”

The speaker wished a “speedy recovery” for the deputy commissioner of Kurram and FC officials, stating that the firing incident in Kurram district “is a conspiracy to disrupt peace agreements.”

He added that miscreants attempting to destabilise peace in Kurram would not be tolerated. He called on both sides to maintain peace and uphold the agreed-upon peace settlements.

“This attack on the convoy is highly concerning, especially on the main highway in Lower Kurram. It is a heinous plot to sabotage the efforts of the peace jirga aimed at ensuring permanent peace in the region,” he said in a statement.

Kundi emphasised that such incidents threaten the “hard-earned peace” in Kurram and called for the joint efforts of the local population and the government to ensure lasting stability in the area.

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“For lasting peace in Kurram, it is crucial that both the government and the local population play a positive and cooperative role,” he said.

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has “vehemently condemned” the firing incident and prayed for the recovery of the wounded persons.

“It is the responsibility of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to maintain law and order in the entire province including Kurrum Agency,” he said in a statement.

“The establishment of law and order in Kurram agency should be ensured at all costs, and no excuse is acceptable.”