Kurram DC Javedullah Mehsud, five other persons injured in firing as peace remains elusive despite ceasefire deal

PARACHINAR/ISLAMABAD, Jan 04 (SABAH): Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud was injured in a fresh firing incident in the Bagan area as violence flared once again in the restive district, just days after a peace deal was reached following prolonged negotiations between warring tribes.

District administration officials said that, in addition to the DC, five others were injured, including a Frontier Constabulary personnel, a policeman, and three civilians who were passing by.

The deputy commissioner, who had played a key role in efforts to restore peace in the restive region, and others were rushed to the hospital immediately after the attack.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government Spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Saif, while talking to the media in Kohat said that by the grace of Allah, everyone’s condition is now stable and out of danger.

He also mentioned that the deputy commissioner was the target of the attack. “Firing was carried out on the deputy commissioner’s vehicle,” he added.

Kohat Regional Police Officer Abbas Majeed Marwat told a private TV channel that unknown people fired upon the district administration’s vehicle.

The official clarified that it was unidentified people who resorted to firing upon the district administration’s vehicle and not the tribal people. He said that a search operation was launched in the area to hunt down the suspects.

Meanwhile President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have strongly condemned the firing on the convoy of government vehicles in Bagan area of Lower Kurram.

In a statement, President Asif Ali Zardari emphasized the need for strict action against those who seek to disrupt peace efforts in Kurram. He said that the miscreants are enemies of the public and aim to spread chaos. The President urged the people not to allow these elements to succeed in their malicious designs.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in a statement said the attempt has been made to sabotage the peace agreement. He said those trying to disrupt law and order and enemies of humanity will not be allowed to succeed in their designs.

PM Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed commitment to eradicate terrorism. He prayed for the recovery of the Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud and other injured individuals.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur strongly condemned the firing incident and expressed his concern over the event, saying that such an act is extremely unfortunate and must be condemned, especially after the peace agreement in Kurram.

The chief minister directed senior officials to submit a report on the incident as soon as possible. He also extended his best wishes for the speedy recovery of the deputy commissioner and other individuals injured during the attack.

Gandapur described the incident as a deliberate and malicious attempt to disrupt the ongoing peace efforts in Kurram. He reaffirmed that such actions would not be tolerated and vowed that those responsible would face legal consequences. “The government will take strict action against the individuals involved in the firing,” he said.

The chief minister further said that this attack was orchestrated by elements who do not want peace to be restored in Kurram. “This is an attempt to sabotage the government’s peace-building efforts, but it will not succeed,” he remarked.

Gandapur also highlighted that the agreement between the conflicting parties is a clear indication that the people of Kurram desire peace. He emphasised that certain miscreants are trying to undermine this peace but reassured that their efforts would be futile.

He urged the people of Kurram to cooperate with the government and security forces in identifying and bringing these miscreants to justice.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the attack on the government vehicle, describing it as a deliberate attempt to undermine the peace agreement.

He prayed for the swift recovery of DC Mehsud, who was injured in the attack. The minister labelled the incident a malicious act by miscreants seeking to destabilise the region, calling it a “conspiracy” against the peace process.

Condemning the mishap, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said the firing incident established the provincial government’s failure and incompetence. He also prayed for the early recovery of Mehsud.

KP Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam expressed deep regret over the firing incident, explaining that the deputy commissioner was en route to Bagan when unidentified armed individuals opened fire on his vehicle.

He urged both parties to maintain peace, emphasising that the Kohat Agreement is being implemented to ensure stability.

The chief secretary warned that strict legal action would be taken against those attempting to disrupt law and order in the Kurram region.