A second ceasefire has been successfully negotiated in Kurram district, Pakistan’s volatile Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, following days of intense fighting between two warring tribes. The clashes, which began on November 22, resulted in over 130 deaths and left dozens more injured.

Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud confirmed on Sunday that a peace agreement had been reached, bringing an end to the violence that has gripped the region for more than a week, PTI reported. The fighting, which erupted after a deadly attack on a passenger convoy on November 21, escalated as tribal factions from the Alizai and Bagan clans engaged in a series of retaliatory strikes, leading to the tragic loss of life.

Mehsud stated that security forces, including police and paramilitary troops, have been deployed to maintain stability, with armed tribesmen removed from the frontlines. Local tribal leaders are now working through a jirga (tribal council) to facilitate communication between the two groups and ensure the reopening of roads that had been closed due to the conflict.

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However, according to a report by Dawn, tensions remain high, and the situation in the region is still fragile. While the ceasefire has brought some relief, sporadic violence continues to plague Upper Kurram, where two individuals were injured on Sunday. 

The violence has also led to significant disruptions, with mobile and internet services suspended and schools closed. Furthermore, the closure of key roads has impacted local transportation and halted trade, particularly with Afghanistan at the Kharlachi border.

The district's administration, supported by the provincial government, has been working to mediate peace. Previous ceasefire attempts, including a temporary truce in November, had failed to hold. However, the latest ceasefire agreement is being closely monitored, with further intervention from regional elders and lawmakers expected in the coming days to ensure its success.

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In a related development, political tensions have emerged between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Dawn reported. Governor Kundi announced a multi-party conference to address the Kurram conflict, a move that was met with criticism from Gandapur, who argued that as the elected provincial head, he had the mandate to convene such talks. Despite their differences, both leaders have expressed a commitment to ending the violence and restoring peace to the district.