Kurram in Turmoil – Bagan Bazar Ablazed
Sadda, 23 November: A surge of violence has gripped Kurram District, leaving devastation in its wake and claiming dozens of lives. On 21 November, a convoy travelling to Parachinar was ambushed in Manduri, Lower Kurram, in a brutal attack that resulted in 44 deaths, marking a grim escalation in regional unrest.
In retaliation, the banned militant outfit Zaianabyoun, led by commander Tehran Turi, launched a covert attack on the village of Bagan on the night of 22 November. The assault caused widespread collateral damage, with numerous homes and shops set ablaze and looted. Reports indicate numerous fatalities, including women and children, though an exact death toll is yet to be verified.
The violence has sparked heavy exchanges of gunfire in multiple areas of Kurram, including Balishkhel-Khar Kali and Muqbal-Kunj Alizai. These clashes have claimed an additional 11 lives, leaving several injured and amplifying fears among residents.
The latest incidents follow a series of deadly attacks by Zaianabyoun. On 12 October, the group ambushed a Muqbal convoy in Kunj Alizai, killing 16 and injuring many others. Earlier in August, they attempted an assault on Boshehra, which, while ultimately unsuccessful, still resulted in casualties.
Earlier in Provincial Assembly Riaz Shaheen, (MPA) for Kurram, has called for a decisive military operation to eliminate militant activity. “The rising terrorist tendencies in our region demand immediate and robust action. The state must step in to restore peace and protect the lives of innocent civilians,” Shaheen emphasized.
The ongoing conflict has left the people of Kurram living in a state of fear and uncertainty. Local communities are urging the government to take swift and firm measures to dismantle terrorist networks and bring stability to the region. As the death toll rises, the call for state intervention grows louder, with many demanding justice and security in the face of relentless violence.
