- The LEAs are “planning” to launch an operation in the Lower Kurram areas.
- Sites proposed for the establishment of camps for the TDPs of the territory.
- The development comes a day after terrorists ambushed a supply convoy.
A day after terrorists ambushed a supply convoy bound for Parachinar in Kurram district, the district administration announced the establishment of Temporary Displaced Persons (TDP) camps in restive Lower Kurram, with “law enforcement agencies (LEA) planning to launch anti-terrorist activities”. operation”.
According to a notification issued by the office of Deputy Commissioner Kurram on Friday, the LEAs were planning to launch operations in various areas of Lower Kurram.
“In order to ensure the safety and support of the affected population during the planned operation, the following sites are proposed for the establishment of camps for the TDPs of Kurram district,” the notification said.
The camps would be established at Government Boys Degree College, Tal, Government Technical College, Rscue 1122 compound and Judicial Building, both under construction, as per the notification.
Kurram has been plagued by violence for decades, but around 150 people were killed in a fresh round of fighting that began in November last year when two separate convoys traveling under police escort were ambushed , leaving 40 dead.
Thursday’s ambush targeted a convoy of 35 vehicles tasked with resupplying local traders in the restive territory with rice, flour, cooking oil and essential medicines, which claimed the lives of at least 8 people, including security personnel, drivers and civilians.
Meanwhile, retaliation by security forces resulted in the deaths of six attackers.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and tribal leaders have brokered numerous truces between the warring communities, but none have succeeded in ending the violence.
The most recent peace deal was announced on January 1, but days later a humanitarian convoy en route to the region was also attacked, injuring several local officials and members of their security escort.
So far, only two aid consignments for Kurram have been dispatched in the past two weeks, with the last one arriving in the tribal region on January 14.
Residents complain that the help provided is “not enough”, while the helicopter service for transferring patients from Kurram has also remained suspended for the past 10 days.