At least 11 people were killed in tribal clashes in Pakistan’s north-western Kurram district, located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to local authorities. The violence erupted following a shooting incident between rival tribes, which left two people critically injured. The exact cause of the initial shooting remains unclear.
As tensions escalated, vehicles were targeted in multiple areas across the district, leading to additional casualties. Javedullah Khan, a senior local official, stated that efforts were underway to secure travel routes and restore peace to the region. Among the injured were several children, who were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Pir Haider Ali Shah, a former parliamentarian and tribal council member, mentioned that tribal elders had arrived in Kurram to negotiate a peace agreement between the warring factions. He expressed disappointment over the recent incidents, stating, “The firing incidents are regrettable and have hindered progress towards a lasting peace.”
The region has seen ongoing tensions, with a deadly flare-up just last month when at least 25 people were killed during clashes between Shia and Sunni groups over a land dispute. While both sects generally coexist peacefully in Pakistan, long-standing sectarian tensions have periodically surfaced, especially in Kurram, where Shia Muslims form a significant portion of the population.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident on Saturday, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for an attack on a coal mine in Balochistan’s Duki district, which killed 21 people. The BLA, a separatist group, reported higher casualties, claiming 30
