62 killed in Kurram Agency

PESHAWAR—The situation in Kurram Agency is under the control of the administration and no untoward incident of firing and clashes had been reported from any affected areas for the last few days, an official statement said here on Thursday.
As many as 62 persons were killed and 183 injured in various incidents in Sadda, Balashkhel, Alizai, Sangeena, Abrahimzai and Khwar Gali during the period from December 24, 2007 to January 2, 2008 in Kurram Agency. The statement said that some newspapers are publishing exaggerated figures about casualties in Kurram Agency and giving unconfirmed figures about alleged clashes and casualties in different areas of the Agency. All such news are based on rumours and guesses which have no connection with the reality, it said.
It said the government has taken further steps for protection of people and eight posts have been set up in various places. As result of these measures, the situation has improved greatly. The security forces have been deployed in the all important and sensitive places on Thall Parachinar Road. Political efforts are also underway to bring lasting peace to the area as the peace Jirga sent by NWFP Governor in the area is also busy in negotiations with rival groups. The Jirga, which is currently in Sadda, has held talks with Sunni elders on terms and conditions of the Peace agreement on Thursday and significant progress has been made in this regard. —Agencies