Tribal Clashes In North-West Pakistan Leave At Least 11 Dead

At least 11 people have been killed in a wave of tribal clashes in the north-west of Pakistan.

Tensions escalated in the Kurram district following a shooting incident between rival tribes, leaving two individuals critically injured. However, the exact cause of the initial altercation remains unclear.

Vehicles were targeted in different areas of the district, leading to more casualties, said Javedullah Khan, a senior official.

According to Khan, efforts were being made to secure travel routes and to restore calm to the area. The injured, which included children, were taken to hospital.

Pir Haider Ali Shah, a former parliamentarian and tribal council member, expressed deep regret over the recent violence and said elders had arrived at Kurram to mediate between the warring tribes.

He said, “The firing incidents are regrettable and have hampered our pursuit of lasting peace.”

Last month, at least 25 people were killed in several days of clashes between armed Shia and Sunni Muslims over a land dispute.

Although both groups live together largely peacefully in Pakistan, tensions have existed for decades in some areas, especially in Kurram, where Shia Muslims dominate in parts of the district.

In another incident on Saturday, a separatist group, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), claimed responsibility for an attack on a coal mine in Duki district, Balochistan province.

The attack, carried out using heavy weapons, rocket launchers, and grenades, resulted in the deaths of at least 21 people. The BLA provided a higher death toll of 30 and claimed 18 injuries.

The group accused Pakistani security personnel of disguising themselves as workers, a claim that has not been independently verified.

The BLA issued a threat of further attacks unless the military withdrew from Balochistan.