Part 8/14:
Furthermore, sectarian violence in regions like Kuram underscores how local land disputes and religious tensions are manipulated by militant factions. Shiite Muslims have been targeted by Sunni supremacist groups linked to TTP or ISIS, further destabilizing the fragile peace.
The Human Toll
The human cost of this turmoil is profound. Families like that of retired Major Sha Malik mourn the loss of their sons—a tragic reminder of the personal sacrifice in these conflicts. Malik’s son, Captain Uzuzer Mahmud Malik, was killed defending an outpost in Kaiba in 2023, fighting bravely against insurgents but succumbing to a sniper’s bullet. Stories of loss and resilience permeate daily life, highlighting the deep scars left by years of conflict.