The Unending Conflict: Dilemmas of Dealing with Sectarianism in Kurram

About The Monograph

The monograph focusses on the unending sectarian conflict in the Kurram district in Pakistan. It traces the history of Kurram, the origin Tof the Turi Shias and chronicles major incidents of sectarian conflicts in the district. It argues that sectarian violence in Kurram, Pakistan, between Shias and Sunnis is deeply rooted in historical animosities, exacerbated by the state’s Sunni-Islamist orientation and external influences like the Afghan Jihad and Saudi-Iran rivalry. It highlights the ‘militantisation’ of the region since 2001, with Sunni groups like Tehreek-iTaliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Haqqani Group of Afghanistan intensifying conflict, countered by Shia militias acting in self-defence. The state’s failure to establish monopoly over violence, coupled with a weakening jirga system, denial of the fact that the sectarian animus is driving the conflict, and ambivalence of the Pakistan Tehrik Insaf (PTI) which is in power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), perpetuates unrest. Land disputes and radicalization, fuelled by external actors, deepen the divide, with the author concluding that Pakistan’s half-hearted efforts offer no lasting solution, predicting a bleak future for Kurram’s Shias.

About the Author

Dr. Ashok Behuria is a Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the South Asia Centre at IDSA. He has been Editor of International Studies, the prestigious research journal from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and in the Editorial Boards of Strategic Analysis, the flagship journal from IDSA and Journal of Peace Studies being published by International Centre for Peace Studies. He is a close observer of developments in the South Asian neighbourhood and has been awarded the prestigious K.Subrahmanyam Award for excellence in strategic studies for his work on Pakistan in 2009. He has published many research articles on strategic issues related to Pakistan, India-Pakistan relations, Sri Lanka, Nepal and South Asian security environment in Indian and foreign journals. He has edited several books on South Asia and continues with his research on internal politics in Pakistan, India’s engagement with the neighbourhood, regional security, and inter-state cooperation.