PTBP Web Desk
Kurram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Javedullah Mehsud was injured on Saturday when unidentified gunmen opened fire on his convoy near Bagan, as reported by Aaj News. The attack occurred amidst ongoing efforts to restore peace in the region following a recent agreement between Sunni and Shia communities.
The injured DC was immediately transferred to Lower Alizai Hospital for medical treatment. According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, arrangements were underway to airlift Mehsud to Peshawar via helicopter for advanced medical care.
The incident coincided with plans to dispatch an aid convoy carrying essential food and supplies to the Kurram District, which has been grappling with severe shortages. The region has witnessed a humanitarian crisis due to the prolonged closure of key routes following deadly sectarian clashes.
President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a calculated attempt to disrupt peace efforts in Kurram. He urged authorities to take swift action against those responsible for the incident. In his statement, the president emphasized the importance of unity among the people to thwart the miscreants’ agenda.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed similar sentiments, calling the attack an effort to undermine the recent peace agreement. “Those trying to disrupt law and order and enemies of humanity will not be allowed to succeed in their designs,” the prime minister stated.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi denounced the attack, terming it a “conspiracy to sabotage the peace agreement.” He prayed for the swift recovery of DC Mehsud and reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining peace in the region.
“This heinous act is a clear attempt to derail the progress made in fostering unity among the communities of Kurram District,” Naqvi added.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the attack, blaming the provincial government for failing to ensure the security of vital aid convoys. He highlighted the dire situation in Kurram, where sectarian violence has claimed over 130 lives since November.
The attack comes in the wake of a peace agreement aimed at resolving long-standing tensions between Sunni and Shia communities in Kurram District. Sectarian clashes in the area have not only resulted in significant loss of life but also disrupted essential supply routes, leaving Upper Kurram without adequate food and medical supplies for over two months.
The government had hoped that the peace agreement would mark a turning point for the conflict-ridden district. However, the latest violence has raised concerns about the sustainability of peace in the region.
The firing incident highlights the persistent challenges in ensuring security and rebuilding trust among communities in Kurram. It also underscores the urgent need for effective governance and a unified approach to address the root causes of the conflict.
With the region already facing a humanitarian crisis, such attacks threaten to exacerbate the suffering of the local population. The timely delivery of aid and the restoration of essential services remain critical to stabilizing the area and preventing further unrest.
The attack on DC Javedullah Mehsud’s convoy has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders and civil society. The federal and provincial governments are being urged to intensify security measures and ensure the safety of aid convoys. At the same time, efforts to engage local communities in dialogue and reconciliation are essential to fostering lasting peace.
