Kurram: rival tribes agree to ceasefire, exchange captives and bodies 

PESHAWAR: After a spate of deadly clashes that claimed more than 80 lives, rival tribes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district have agreed to a seven-day ceasefire and exchange captives and bodies. 

A government delegation, led by the provincial information adviser Barrister Saif, returned to Peshawar after ‘successful’ negotiations with rival tribes in Parachinar.

Barrister Saif confirmed that both sides have agreed to observing the ceasefire and agreed to exchange captives and bodies. 

Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam said that the conflict initially erupted due to gunfire originating from the mountains, which escalated into a dispute between two local groups accusing each other of involvement.

Also read: Govt mediators seek ceasefire as death toll reaches 68 in Kurram

Alam clarified that no local group was behind the initial attack as he attributed it to a terrorist organisation. 

The violence has claimed at least 85 lives over the past four days, including 49 passengers targeted on the Peshawar-Parachinar road.

Clashes that followed resulted in further casualties, with homes and shops also damaged in the crossfire. 

Internet and mobile services remain suspended in Kurram and surrounding areas as authorities work to restore order.

The recent unrest has prompted calls for urgent measures to prevent further escalation in the restive region.