The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to take strong action against those responsible for the attack on Deputy Commissioner Kurram Javedullah Mehsud, calling it a violation of the recently signed peace accord between rival tribes in the district.
The decision was taken during an emergency meeting chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to discuss the situation after the Bagan firing incident. The meeting was attended by the chief secretary and the police chief of the province, among others.
The provincial government’s decision comes hours after Deputy Commissioner Kurram was injured in a firing in Bagan area.
District administration officials said that apart from the DC, six other people were injured, including Border Police personnel, a policeman and four civilians who were passing by.
The deputy commissioner, who played a key role in efforts to restore peace in the restive region, and others were taken to hospital immediately after the attack.
Tonight’s meeting concluded that local residents were responsible for the incident and that they had violated the peace agreement.
The authorities have decided that those involved in the firing incident will be immediately arrested while FIRs will be registered against them.
“Capital money will be announced to ensure the elimination of terrorists,” it said.
The top brass of the provincial authorities underlined their determination to maintain law and order in the restive areas and also pledged to show no leniency to the attackers or their accomplices.
It should be mentioned here that the authorities said late on Saturday that five people involved in the attack had been identified.
Kurram violence
Kurram has been in the spotlight for months as ongoing violence in the district has claimed more than 130 lives and left many injured, with a peace deal finally struck on January 1 after roughly 50 days of talks between tribal elders.
The two warring parties in Kurram district, with the help of the Grand Jirga, agreed to 14 points, which included handing over private weapons to the government and also dismantling bunkers.
It was hoped that the agreement would stand as the violence forced the government to block the Tal-Parachinar Road, resulting in shortages of food, medicine and other essential items in the district.
As a result of the firing, Barrister Saif, who is also an advisor to the KP Chief Minister (CM), said that the convoy of trucks carrying relief goods to the district has been stopped for the time being.
He also said that the deputy commissioner’s condition is out of danger and he has been airlifted to Peshawar for further medical treatment.
Today's E-Paper