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As sectarian tensions in KP’s Kurram tribal district threaten spillover once again, Pak Army and FC have been deployed on the request of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in the district to control the violence which has left ten dead and more than 30 wounded following a dispute between two tribes over land ownership.
The KP Home department said the Army and FC would remain in the area till the situation gets normal, adding that the decision has been taken to normalize the situation and avoid further losses and casualties.
Kurram, a tribal district in northwestern Pakistan, has a history of sectarian violence between Sunni and Shia Muslims, who make up the majority and minority of the population, respectively. However, the recent conflict that erupted on July 8, 2023, was not about religion, but about land ownership.
According to local officials, two rival tribes – the Bangash and the Turi – clashed over a disputed piece of common land in several areas of Kurram. The fighting involved heavy weapons, such as rockets and mortars, and brought life to a standstill in the region.
The land dispute between the Bangash and the Turi tribes has been going on for decades, and has resulted in hundreds of casualties in the past. The conflict has also been exploited by militant groups, such as the Taliban and Daesh, who have carried out attacks in Kurram to fuel sectarian hatred and instability.
The authorities are currently faced with two main challenges: halting the violence and preventing bloodshed as a result of property disputes, and preventing sectarian narratives from inflaming the situation, especially as Muharram draws near. The administration and the Ulemas must work together in order to stop the clashes from being used as fuel for sectarian animosity throughout the country.
It’s important to pay close attention to social media accounts that incite hatred and violence and disseminate untrue rumors that can encourage violence in public places. Second, rather than stoking tensions, religious leaders from both sects should use their platforms to ease tensions.
