Kurram death toll hits 130 as six more killed in tribal clashes

At least six more people have died, and eight others were injured in ongoing clashes and firing incidents in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, local officials reported.

Despite a tentative ceasefire agreed upon late last week, deadly sectarian violence continues in the northwestern region, pushing the death toll to over 130 as authorities work to broker a lasting solution.

Kurram, situated near the Afghan border, has been a longstanding hotspot for sectarian tensions, which escalated into a fresh wave of violence last month. Clashes between Sunni and Shia communities have claimed dozens of lives, with authorities struggling to maintain peace.

Last Sunday, a Pakistani government team facilitated a seven-day ceasefire between the rival factions. However, armed Sunni and Shia groups, who have historically clashed over tribal and land disputes, resumed hostilities soon after.

According to provincial authorities, 97 fatalities have been recorded so far. This includes 43 victims from an initial attack where gunmen targeted mostly Shia drivers, with the rest killed in subsequent retaliatory clashes.

Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, visited the region on Saturday to address a large gathering of tribal elders and leaders, seeking their cooperation to restore peace in the volatile area.