KURRAM, Pakistan — The death toll has now climbed to more than 130 as authorities struggle to mediate between Sunni and Shia factions and restore order.
Sectarian violence has continued to escalate in Pakistan’s northwestern Kurram district despite a tentative ceasefire reached late last week, local officials said as quoted by Reuters.
Kurram, a district near the border with Afghanistan, has long been a flashpoint for sectarian tensions. The latest violence erupted last month, leading to deadly clashes that have since intensified.
Medical facilities overwhelmed
Dr. Syed Mir Hassan Jan, medical superintendent at the District Headquarters Hospital in Parachinar, the district’s main city, described the overwhelming toll the violence has taken on local medical resources.
“Our hospital has received around 50 bodies and over 100 injured individuals,” Dr. Jan said. “We’ve treated and discharged some patients, while others have undergone surgery. Our medical team is working around the clock to perform surgeries.”
Residents of Kurram have expressed frustration over the government’s inability to prevent repeated outbreaks of violence in what is supposed to be a heavily monitored area.
“I’m deeply saddened by the horrific incident that occurred on the main road, which is supposedly a secure area monitored by the Army, Frontier Corps, and police,” said Nasir Hussain, a resident of Parachinar. “Despite repeated incidents in this area, the government has failed to ensure our safety. It’s the state’s responsibility to clear the road and bring the terrorists involved to justice.”
Rising casualties
District administration official Wajid Hussain confirmed that at least 133 people have been killed in the violence over the past week and a half. Parachinar’s main hospital reported receiving 50 bodies and around 100 injured as of Sunday.
As authorities work to broker a sustainable peace in Kurram, the region remains tense, with residents and officials alike bracing for the possibility of further violence.
