In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into a deadly convoy attack in Kurram district, law enforcement agencies have arrested 20 more individuals, including suspected terrorists and their facilitators. The arrests were made on Sunday as part of an intensified operation in the region.
The brutal attack occurred on February 17, when a convoy comprising over 30 trucks carrying essential food supplies was ambushed in the Bagan, Charkhel, Ochat, and Mandori areas. The assailants looted the trucks, setting fire to 19 of them, resulting in the deaths of several individuals, including security personnel and drivers.
Regional Police Officer Abbas Majid Marwat confirmed the arrests, bringing the total number of detained suspects to 85. The operation, which continues in the areas of Charkhel, Ochat, Bagan, Mandori, and Dad Kamar, has also led to the confiscation of a significant cache of weapons and stolen goods.
Recovered items include 81 submachine guns, two heavy machine guns, two light machine guns, Kalashnikov rifles, 12-bore shotguns, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Additionally, four trucks filled with looted goods, such as medicines and daily essentials, were seized from various locations.
Authorities have intensified efforts to dismantle terrorist networks in the region. The operation has involved air and artillery strikes on suspected militant hideouts in the mountainous terrain, aiming to secure the Kohat-Parachinar road and restore order in the area.
The provincial government remains committed to capturing high-value targets with bounties on their heads, further ensuring the region’s safety and security. Recent incidents, including an attack on the convoy of the Kurram Militia Commandant, underscore the urgency of these operations.
Amidst the heightened security measures, authorities have also arrested several individuals in Peshawar, including Maulana Shah Nawaz, who was detained following a press conference for delivering provocative speeches. Another suspect, Nabi Gul, was apprehended at Peshawar airport.
Local leaders have urged the government to provide relief to the affected population of approximately 500,000 people, who are facing severe shortages of food and medical supplies. The scarcity has forced residents to pay exorbitant prices for essentials, with petrol costs skyrocketing, compelling many to travel long distances on foot.
In the wake of these developments, the government is being called upon to compensate traders for their losses and implement measures to alleviate the hardships faced by the community.
