First phase of the third convoy heading to Kurram includes 35 cargo vehicles
In a big blow to the peace deal that made it possible to send aid to the restive area, a rocket was fired at the third aid convoy travelling through Bagan towards Kurram on Thursday, said police.
The police said the rocket strike damaged one vehicle in the convoy. Luckily, no casualties from the incident have been reported thus far, they added.
In the aftermath, vehicles from the convoy have begun to return to Tal, according to Geo News. Meanwhile, cargo trucks that had been at the Chapri checkpoint are also heading back.
According to the district administration, the first phase of the third convoy heading to Kurram included 35 cargo vehicles, which were carrying medicines, vegetables, fruits, and other food items.
The administration had said that additional vehicles were expected to depart for Kurram in the second phase later today.
To ensure the convoy’s safety, the authorities had deployed police, Frontier Corps (FC), and other security forces.
Harships for patients
Meanwhile, the helicopter service for patient transfers from Kurram has been suspended for the past 10 days, causing severe difficulties for patients in the region.
Dr Mir Hussain Jan, Medical Superintendent (MS) of the District Headquarters Hospital, spoke to Geo News and confirmed that the helicopter service, crucial for transporting medicines and patients, has been out of operation for the last 10 days.
He mentioned that the district administration has already sent a letter requesting the resumption of the service.
Dr Jan further revealed that a request had been made to the district administration for the transfer of 74 patients, as it seems unlikely that patients will be able to be transferred by road under the current circumstances.
However, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Religious Affairs Muhammad Adnan Qadri claimed that the helicopter service for Kurram district continues to operate.
Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1272846-rocket-attack-on-aid-convoy-mars-kurram-peace-once-again
