Inquiry initiated into FC firing incident in Parachinar: Pak Army

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Friday that an inquiry has been initiated into the firing incident on protesters in Parachinar by Frontier Corps personnel that killed four civilians earlier this month, assuring that "those responsible shall not be spared".

"Firing by FC troops while handling mob situation post blast is being inquired and those responsible shall not be spared. FC commandant has already been changed," said the COAS according to a statement issued by the ISPR.

The Army Chief today visited Parachinar, Kurram Agency where interacted with local tribal elders and representatives of the sit-in.

Members of the Shia community in Pakistan's northwestern city of Parachinar have been on a sit-in protest for a week after twin terror attacks killed at least 75 people and injured over 300.

The week long protest finally ended today after a meeting with General Bajwa.

During a meeting with the COAS, the Shia community presented a list of 11 demands which includes Rs 5 million compensation for those killed in the attack, and Rs2.5m for those injured, according to the Dawn.

The protesters have also demanded that the Frontier Constabulary (FC) be replaced by the militia force for the security of Parachinar.

They demanded that a report on terrorist incidents in Parachinar should be made public and the Pak-Afghan border be secured.

According to the ISPR statement, the COAS announced that additional army troops have been moved in Parachinar to enhance its security while FC troops are being beefed up on Pak-Afghan border to seal it effectively. Toori Razakars are also being dovetailed on check posts.

He also promised that safe city project for Parachinar by installing CCTV cameras in line with the ones in Lahore and Islamabad will be undertaken.

Kurram is the only Shia Muslim region in a predominantly Sunni country. Sunni hardliners, currently operating through different Taliban factions including the Islamic State group, consider them heretics and have often targeted them.