Pakistan: As Death Toll In Kurram Clashes Hits 90, A Look At History of Shia-Sunni Sectarian Violence In Region

The death toll in Pakistan's Kurram district rose to 90 on Thursday (28 November) as fresh skirmishes claimed 12 more lives and left 18 injured. Gunfire erupted in both upper and lower regions of the district, according to local officials. The ongoing violence has persisted despite a ceasefire, with clashes continuing for over a week.

The unrest began when a convoy of passenger vehicles was attacked in Lower Kurram last week, resulting in the deaths of over 45 Shia travellers, reported The Indian Express. 

On Thursday, firefights were reported in areas such as Jalmay, Chadrewal, and Talo Kunj in Lower Kurram, and in Ghozgahri, Matasangar, Maqbal, and Kunj Alizai in Upper Kurram, as per Indian Express.

Sectarian Roots and Historical Context

Kurram, located along the Afghan border and adjacent to provinces like Logar and Paktia, has a long history of sectarian violence rooted in governance failures, tribal rivalries, and geopolitical influences. 

Shia-Sunni sectarian killings are prevalent in Pakistan, and Kurram's Shia population—around 45 per cent of its 7.85 lakh residents, per the 2023 census—is significantly higher than the national average of 10-15 per cent.

Upper Kurram, predominantly Shia, boasts better literacy and economic indicators compared to Sunni-dominated Lower and Central Kurram. The area's sectarian tensions have deepened over decades due to several interrelated developments:

1. Iran-Saudi Rivalry (Post-1979):

The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran and the creation of a Shia theocracy fueled sectarian divisions. Kurram became a proxy battleground, with Saudi Arabia and Iran backing Sunni and Shia groups, respectively. Tribal fault lines transformed into overt sectarian conflicts.

2. Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989):

Kurram served as a launchpad for US-backed Mujahideen and a refuge for Sunni Afghan refugees fleeing the war. This influx destabilised the region, contributing to the rise of armed groups like the anti-Shia Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and Islamic State, which exploit Kurram’s porous border and mountainous terrain.

3. Zia-ul-Haq's Sunni Islamisation Policies:

During his rule (1977-1988), military dictator Gen Zia-ul-Haq bolstered Sunni dominance, leveraging the influx of Sunni Afghan refugees to weaken the Shia Turi tribe in Kurram. His policies entrenched sectarian divisions, fueling cycles of violence.

A History of Bloodshed

Between 2007 and 2011, Kurram witnessed over 2,000 deaths and 5,000 injuries, with tens of thousands displaced, as per Pakistan government data. Armed militias and external influences have perpetuated these sectarian divides.

The recent violence underscores the fragility of Kurram's ceasefire efforts and the deep-seated sectarian tensions in the region. With sporadic clashes continuing and historical grievances unaddressed, the district remains a flashpoint of instability.

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