Islamabad, July 01: At least 27 people were killed Wednesday in fresh clashes between two religious groups in Pakistan’s restive Kurram tribal region, taking the toll to 148 in sectarian violence in the area over the past two weeks.
The clashes between rival Shia and Sunni tribesmen have intensified, reports from Kurram tribal agency said. Several people were also injured in today’s clashes.
More than 200 people have been wounded in fighting over the past 16 days.
In clashes today, 21 people from one religious group, including a commander, were killed. The six others who died belonged to the other group.
The tribesmen have been targeting each other’s positions with heavy weapons in Balishkhel, Khar Kalai, Mindak, Tangi, Kirman and Parachamkani areas. The situation took a turn for the worse after Taliban fighters entered the region and began backing the Sunni tribesmen.
Kurram Agency has been rocked by sectarian clashes over the past few years, with hundreds of people killed in the fighting.
After a brief truce, clashes erupted again last month when militants fired on officials of the local political administration and jirga members near a check post.
Local residents say both groups want peace but the militants have increased tensions.
A conference of religious and political groups held yesterday in Parachinar, the main town in Kurram agency, urged the federal government to immediately start operations against militants in the region.
—-Agencies