Escalating Sectarian Violence in Kurram District: A Legacy of Divisions
The ongoing sectarian conflict in Kurram District (formerly Kurram Agency) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, is deeply rooted in a history shaped by political, ethnic, and religious dynamics over centuries. Located along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Kurram Valley has been an area of strategic significance, home to both Shia and Sunni Muslims, alongside a range of ethnic groups. This diverse demographic has led to both periods of cooperation and recurring conflict.
Colonial Legacy: Divide and Rule
Under British colonial rule, which spanned from the 19th to the early 20th century, Kurram’s strategic position near the Afghan frontier gained prominence. The British employed a “divide and rule” policy, exploiting sectarian divisions in the region, including Kurram. The British aligned themselves with the Shia tribes, who were more welcoming while using various political and military strategies to manage Sunni tribes. Encouraging the settlement of Shia Pashtun tribes in the Parachinar area of Kurram Valley while relegating Sunnis to other regions, the British policies deepened the sectarian divide. This division laid the groundwork for ethnic and sectarian tensions that persist in the area today.
The Post-Independence Era: A Deepening Divide
Following the partition of India in 1947, Pakistan inherited the sectarian landscape of Kurram, where Sunnis held dominance in some areas while Shia communities flourished in others. The region’s sectarian makeup became more pronounced in the ensuing decades, with shifting political power dynamics exacerbating tensions. The Iranian Revolution of 1979, which established the Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini, had profound consequences in Pakistan, particularly in areas with substantial Shia populations like Kurram. Iran began to assert influence over the Shia community, promoting a more vocal and assertive Shia identity. This exacerbated tensions, as the Sunni Pashtun tribes, traditionally more aligned with Pakistan’s state policies, viewed this rising Shia assertiveness as a threat to their dominance. The growing polarization between the two groups fueled sectarian conflicts.
Sectarian Violence: 1980s to 2008
The 1980s, 1996, and 2007-2008 were marked by significant sectarian violence in Kurram, especially between the Shia and Sunni factions. These violent events were driven by both local and regional geopolitical factors, as well as external influence from international actors.
In 1996, violent clashes erupted between Shia and Sunni factions in the Parachinar area of Kurram. This conflict marked the first large-scale sectarian violence, with Sunni populations in Parachinar facing attacks, including casualties among children and teachers. Outside Parachinar, Shia communities in surrounding areas were also targeted by armed Sunni militias. This marked a significant deterioration in relations between the two communities and deepened sectarian rifts, with hundreds of casualties and widespread displacement.
The 2007-2008 period saw the intensification of sectarian violence, with a brutal conflict between Shia and Sunni factions. In 2007, Shia militias, allegedly supported by Iran-backed factions, besieged the Sunni population in Parachinar. This siege lasted for several months, leaving Sunni residents in dire conditions. Reports suggest that several hundred Sunnis were killed, many in massacres carried out by Shia militias. Around 500 Sunni men are believed to have died during this period, although precise figures remain difficult to verify due to limited access and chaotic conditions. In retaliation, the Sunni population cut off vital supplies, including food and medical aid, effectively blockading the area for years.
By the end of 2008, over 100,000 people were displaced, fleeing to other parts of Kurram or neighbouring cities like Peshawar and Islamabad.
Iranian Influence: Proxies and Sectarian Strategy
During the 2007-2008 conflict, some Shia militias were reportedly backed by Iran’s Qods Force, which provides support to foreign operations. These militias, along with local Shia-trained fighters, were involved in targeting Sunni villages. Pakistan has accused Iran of exacerbating the sectarian divide in Kurram by providing military and financial support to these militias, viewing it as part of Iran’s broader strategy to assert Shia dominance in the region.
Recent Tensions: Attacks and Escalating Conflict
Recent years have seen a resurgence of violence in Kurram. In particular, the Zainabyoun Brigade, a group reportedly backed by Iran, launched an attack on Boshehra village, which is surrounded by Shia settlements, triggering a retaliatory conflict that lasted for ten days and spread throughout Kurram. This attack was followed by more violent incidents, with militant groups continuing to threaten Boshehra, prompting fears of a repeat of the 2007 violence.
On October 12, 2024, the Zainabyoun Brigade launched an attack on Sunni civilian convoys, resulting in the deaths of 18 civilians, including women and children. On November 21, 2024, a similar attack targeted a Shia civilian convoy, killing 38 people, including a 9-year-old child. The violence has drawn widespread condemnation across Pakistan, yet the situation remains tense. On November 22, 2024, an organized attack by the Zainabyoun Brigade on the Sunni-majority village of Bagun resulted in the destruction of Bagun Bazar and the deaths of many civilians, including women and children. Both groups continue to blame each other for the atrocities, and while Shia militant organizations portray themselves as defenders against terrorism, they are also accused of acting as Iran’s proxy in the region.
A Call for Peace
The ongoing violence has left both communities deeply scarred, with a growing humanitarian crisis. To achieve lasting peace, it is imperative that both the Pakistani government, the Shia community and Sunni Community guarantee the security of vulnerable areas in each other regions like Boshehra in the Shia-dominated region. Furthermore, the influence of Iranian-backed proxies must be addressed to ensure regional stability. True peace in Kurram can only be achieved through dialogue, de-escalation, and a commitment to unity between the Sunni and Shia populations, free from foreign intervention and sectarian manipulation.
Johar Ali Khan is a student of Political Science at the University of Peshawar.