KURRAM: Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud was injured after an unknown man opened fire on a government vehicle in the Bagan area of Lower Kurram on Saturday.
In addition to the DC, five others were injured, including a Frontier Constabulary personnel, a policeman, and three civilians, the district administration said.
The injured Deputy Commissioner has been shifted to the THQ Hospital Alizai.
Kohat Regional Police Officer Abbas Majeed Marwat said that unknown people fired upon the government’s vehicles. He said that a search operation was launched in the area to hunt down the suspects.
The incident happened a couple of days after the warring tribes of Kurram struck a peace deal, agreeing to disarm and dismantle the bankers aimed to end the three-month-long violence and blockade in the region.
As the deal was signed, the authorities were preparing to send a first convoy comprising 75 vehicles to Kurram district to deliver vital goods including food items, medicines, and other commodities.
Advisor to KP Chief Minister on Information, Barrister Saif said that the convoy will travel along the Thall-Parachinar road under the tight security ensured by police and Frontier Corps (FC).
However, after the incident, a KP government spokesperson said, the convoy carrying relief goods has been stopped for now due to security reasons.
Barrister Saif was present at the scene along with the Kohat commissioner, deputy inspector general (DIG), and other district and police officials.
Furthermore, Saif confirmed that arrangements were being made to shift the DC Kurram to Peshawar via helicopter, adding that his condition was out of danger. Sources later confirmed that the helicopter returned to Peshawar due to bad weather.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the incident, terming it a “conspiracy to sabotage the peace agreement.”
According to a statement by the interior ministry, Mohsin Naqvi prayed for the speedy recovery of Deputy Commissioner Karam Javedullah Mehsud, who was injured in the firing.
Strongly condemning the incident, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur sought a report from higher authorities and expressed best wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured DC Kurram and others.
In a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s House, Gandapur said such an incident after the Kurram Peace Accord is highly condemnable, adding that strict action will be taken against the perpetrators.
“This incident is a deliberate and nefarious but unsuccessful attempt to sabotage the government’s efforts to establish peace,” he said.
Gandapur expressed the KP government’s determination to restore peace in Kurram and solve the problems faced by the people.
The peace agreement is testimony to the fact that the people of Kurram are peaceful and want peace in the region, the CM maintained.
Gandapur added that the provincial government, together with the people of the area, would thwart the nefarious efforts of those who did not want peace restored in the region.
“The people of the area must help in identifying the miscreants and help in delivering aid to the areas,” he said.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have strongly condemned the firing on the convoy of government vehicles in the Bagan area of Lower Kurram.
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. Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed commitment to eradicate terrorism.
He prayed for the recovery of Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud and other injured individuals.
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.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a warning for mobile phone users against…
ISLAMABAD: Iranian President Dr. Masoud Peshkeskian met President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz…
ISLAMABAD: The government has approved a reduction in advance tax rates on property buyers and…
RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, met with Iranian President Masoud…
LAHORE: Following the reduction of petroleum prices, solar panels and batteries witnessed a sharp fall…
ISLAMABAD: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has declared a two-day public holiday for Ashura (9th &…