The death toll from an attack on a convoy headed to Parachinar and security forces in Lower Kurram has risen to nine.

Among the deceased are five security personnel, a truck driver, a passerby, and two attackers.

More than 20 others, including five security personnel and five drivers, were injured in the assault.

According to official sources and the district administration, the attack took place in the Mandori, Ochat Charakhel, and Bagan areas, targeting a convoy of goods trucks en route to Parachinar.

One truck driver and a security personnel member lost their lives on the spot.

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In response, security forces conducted aerial shelling using helicopters.

During the counteroperation, the vehicle of Kurram Militia Commandant Colonel Haider was also attacked with heavy and automatic weapons, damaging three vehicles.

However, Colonel Haider remained unharmed.

Four additional security personnel lost their lives, while a captain and four other personnel sustained injuries.

The confirmed casualties from the security forces include Lance Naik Qabil Khan, Lance Naik Abdul Rahman, Lance Naik Yaseen, Sepoy Saqlain, and Sepoy Danish.

The injured personnel include Havaldar Azeem, Naik Tauseef, Naik Niaz Muhammad, and Lance Naik Haroon.

Besides security forces, the attack claimed the lives of a truck driver, a passerby, and two assailants.

Additionally, over 20 individuals, including five security personnel and five drivers, suffered injuries.

According to police sources, after looting cargo from 19 trucks, the attackers set vehicles on fire, with a total of 35 trucks reportedly ransacked.

The Kurram Traders’ Association leaders, Syed Iftikhar Hussain and Syed Muhammad Hanif, revealed that goods worth Rs1.2 billion, loaded onto a large trailer, were looted in the assault.

Member of the National Assembly from Kurram, Engineer Hamid Hussain, expressed disappointment over the repeated violations of peace agreements and criticised the government’s silence.

He called for immediate action against the perpetrators and demanded the reopening of blocked routes to ensure the safety of the public.

He also linked the recent Libya boat tragedy, in which several youths from Parachinar lost their lives, to the region’s prolonged instability, which has forced many to seek dangerous migration routes.

Meanwhile, Member of the Provincial Assembly Ali Hadi Irfani urged the government and relevant institutions to provide immediate relief to the affected traders and ensure the supply of essential goods, including food and medical aid, to the area.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Advisor on Information, Barrister Saif, condemned the attack on security personnel during the rescue operation.

He assured that peace would not be compromised and paid tribute to the fallen personnel, stating that their sacrifices would not be in vain.

He reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to supporting the families of the martyrs and injured and prayed for their recovery.