In Kurram’s Bagan area, terrorists opened fire on security forces’ vehicles during a rescue operation, resulting in the martyrdom of five personnel and injuries to 15 others.
According to the police, security forces were engaged in evacuating stranded vehicles and drivers from an ambush when the attackers struck. The martyred personnel have been identified as Lance Naik Qabil Khan, Lance Naik Abdul Rehman, Lance Naik Yaseen, Sepoy Saqlain, and Sepoy Danish. The injured include Havaldar Azeem, Naik Tauseef, Naik Niaz Muhammad, and Lance Naik Haroon.
The attackers also set three security vehicles on fire. Additionally, a driver lost his life, and several other individuals sustained injuries. Among the wounded were two women and multiple bystanders.
In response to the escalating violence, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to launch a crackdown against militants in Upper Kurram, Mandori, and other affected areas.
A high-level meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, was held to discuss the situation in Kurram. The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Additional Chief Secretary for Home Affairs, and other senior officials.
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According to a government spokesperson, the chief minister was briefed on the recent attacks, and he strongly condemned the firing on convoys and incidents of looting. The meeting concluded with a decision to clear these areas of militants and directed authorities to conduct indiscriminate operations against those responsible.
The spokesperson further stated that residents from these locations will be relocated to facilitate effective action against militants. Additionally, law enforcement agencies have been instructed to arrest individuals named in registered cases immediately. The provincial government has also emphasized that local elders and peace committees must play a proactive role in handing over militants to authorities.
The spokesperson warned that since local peace committees have failed to prevent such attacks, the government will now take strict action against those disrupting peace in the region. He also called on political leaders and elected representatives to actively participate in the peace restoration process and counter misinformation campaigns related to Kurram’s situation.
It is noteworthy that a day earlier, a truck driver, Akram Khan, was killed in an attack on a humanitarian aid convoy in Lower Kurram. The convoy, carrying essential food supplies, medicines, and other aid, had departed from Hangu for Kurram in the morning. Upon reaching Lower Kurram, the convoy came under fire at multiple locations, including Bagan, Upper Kurram, Mandori, Dad Qamar, and Charkhel, resulting in injuries to at least 15 people, including truck drivers.
In a separate incident, terrorists carried out a grenade attack on a police mobile in Kohat’s Shadi Pur area, leaving one officer injured.
According to the Regional Police Officer (RPO), security personnel responded swiftly, killing one terrorist and arresting several others. Authorities also recovered hand grenades and weapons from the attackers.
