The death toll from ongoing sectarian clashes in northwest Pakistan’s Kurram district has tragically reached at least 37, with more than 150 people injured. The fighting, which has escalated for a sixth consecutive day, has plunged the region into a vortex of violence. The Kurram district, historically a semi-autonomous area, has borne witness to numerous bloody confrontations between tribes belonging to the Sunni and Shiite sects of Islam, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives over the years.
This latest eruption of violence was initially sparked by a land dispute between the same tribes that had previously clashed in July. The July clashes, which claimed 35 lives, were only brought to an end after a jirga (tribal council) brokered a ceasefire. However, despite efforts by security forces and local peacekeepers to reach a new truce, the fighting continues, with heavy weaponry being used in 10 areas of the district.
“What started as a land dispute has tragically escalated into a full-fledged sectarian clash, with automatic and semi-automatic weapons, as well as mortar shells, being used,” a local official told AFP, requesting anonymity. The official further reported that 37 people have lost their lives and 153 others have been wounded in the violence. A security official stationed in the provincial capital, Peshawar, confirmed that 28 houses have been damaged in the clashes.
Tribal and family feuds are a recurring problem in Pakistan. However, in the mountainous northwestern region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where communities adhere to traditional tribal honour codes, these feuds can be particularly protracted and violent. The Shiite community in Pakistan, a predominantly Sunni Muslim country, has faced a long history of discrimination and violence. This latest escalation of violence raises concerns about the potential for further instability and bloodshed in the region.
