Dozens killed in Pakistan sectarian violence

Over 80 people have been killed in fresh sectarian violence in north-west Pakistan, officials say.

Another156 are said to have been wounded in three days of fighting in the tribal district of Kurram, near the Afghan border.

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The violence began Thursday, when gunmen attacked convoys of Shia Muslims traveling through the area under police escort. More than 40 died in that incident, which triggered revenge attacks.
Shia and Sunni Muslims have engaged for decades in tribal and sectarian rivalries over land disputes.

On Sunday, a local administration official told AFP news agency: "The clashes and convoy attacks on November 21, 22, and 23 have caused 82 deaths and 156 injured."

Talking to AFP anonymously, he said that the dead included 16 Sunni and 66 members of the Shia community.

Those killed Thursday in attacks on convoys included women and children," the military said. "A passenger named Saeeda Bano told BBC Urdu how she feared she would be killed as she hid under the car seats with her children."

Hundreds of residents fled amid escalating violence Friday and on Saturday.

It follows dozens of people were killed in attacks in the last few months when a tribal council called for a ceasefire.

Provincial officials began talks with Shia and Sunni community leaders in Peshawar, said AFP.
However, a security official said the helicopter ferrying negotiators to the region came under fire as it arrived there, according to AFP.

Dozens killed in Pakistan sectarian violence https://t.co/SjR7EwK0IK — BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) November 24, 2024