Aamna Aamna 
Pakistani forces have launched a major security operation in Kurram district as gunmen killed seven people including members of the security forces and truck drivers. This is the first major operation in the northwestern region in recent years as gunmen attacked and burned aid trucks on Friday.
It has been difficult to access the area since November after sectarian violence between Shiite and Sunni groups. The violence started with 52 people, mostly Shiites, being chopped by assailants in convoy attack. This led to revenge attacks that 70 more people were killed. Housing has been affected, businesses have shutdown, families are having difficulties in acquiring simple needs like food and medication.
The provincial government spokesman Barrister Saif Ali said the operation was ‘compulsory’ because of the rising vicious activities. Motasim Billah, a local administrator, said that its objective is to reestablish law and order in the area and the government’s control. Security forces are now evacuating people to temporary government shelter camps, especially from Bagan city, which has been the worst affected by the recent escalation of violence. The operation has aimed at controlling the sectarian conflicts within this Shiite district that is part of overwhelmingly Sunni Pakistan.
