Gunmen ambushed an aid convoy in northwest Pakistan’s Kurram region on Saturday, wounding several officials despite a ceasefire announced earlier this week, local authorities reported. The convoy was en route to deliver essential food and medical supplies to the besieged area, which has been isolated by ongoing sectarian violence.
The attack occurred at approximately 11 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) as the convoy traveled to collect the first aid delivery since fighting reignited in November, according to Kurram Deputy Commissioner Motasim Billah. Among the injured were the deputy commissioner himself, two other administrative officials, two policemen, and two Frontier Corps soldiers. Billah confirmed that all injured individuals are in stable condition.
The region, bordering Afghanistan, has endured decades of sectarian strife, with the latest bout of violence claiming around 140 lives since November. Rival tribes armed with machine guns and heavy weapons have clashed, cutting off the mountainous area from the rest of Pakistan.
Muhammad Ali Saif, a spokesperson for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, stated that the convoy had been “temporarily halted due to security concerns” following the attack. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the ambush, calling it a “conspiracy” aimed at undermining the fragile peace agreement brokered on New Year’s Day by tribal leaders.
“Mischievous elements carried out the firing to harm the peace agreement,” Naqvi said in a statement.
This attack is the latest in a series of ceasefire violations that have plagued the region. Numerous truces have been attempted by provincial authorities, only to collapse under renewed clashes within hours.
Kurram’s sectarian tensions often stem from disputes over land, which escalate along religious divides between the Sunni and Shiite communities living side-by-side in the region. Pakistan is a Sunni-majority country, with Shiites comprising about 10–15% of the population.
The recent wave of violence began in November when two separate convoys of Shiite Muslims traveling under police escort were ambushed, resulting in 40 deaths. Since then, the region has witnessed frequent skirmishes, leaving residents in dire need of aid and services.
The humanitarian situation remains critical, with the latest aid delivery attempt thwarted. Observers fear that ongoing violence and failed ceasefires could further destabilize the already volatile region, exacerbating suffering for those caught in the conflict.
Efforts to restore peace and deliver relief are expected to continue under tight security, though trust in the ceasefire’s durability remains fragile.
