Sectarian clashes in Pakistan flare up again, more than 130 people killed

(CLO) Deadly sectarian clashes continue in Pakistan's northwestern Kurram district despite a temporary ceasefire, with the death toll now reaching more than 130 as authorities try to mediate a solution.

Mr. Wajid Hussain, an official of Kurram district (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province), said 133 people have been killed in sectarian clashes in Pakistan over the past week.

"The district government and other relevant agencies have been trying to stop the fighting between the two sects but there has been no breakthrough yet," he said.

Police patrol a street during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, November 26. Photo: Reuters

Kurram, near the border with Afghanistan, has been a flashpoint for sectarian tensions for decades. Last month, tensions erupted into a new wave of attacks when clashes between Sunnis and Shias left dozens dead.

Pakistani authorities brokered a seven-day ceasefire between sectarian groups last Sunday. Armed Shiite and Sunni Muslims have been engaged in tribal and sectarian clashes for decades over land and other local disputes in Kurram.

Provincial authorities put the death toll at 97, with 43 killed in the initial attack when gunmen opened fire on Shia drivers, and the rest killed in retaliatory clashes.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur arrived in the area on Saturday to attend a major meeting of tribal elders and leaders.

“Anyone who takes up arms will be treated as a terrorist and their fate will be that of terrorists,” Mr Gandapur said, adding that security forces would remain in the area.

Residents and officials said the main highway linking Kurram's main city of Parachinar with the provincial capital Peshawar was blocked, making it difficult to transfer the injured to hospitals.

Dr Syed Mir Hassan from Parachinar district hospital said they were treating around 100 injured patients and had received 50 bodies in the clash.

Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/dung-do-giao-phai-o-pakistan-bung-phat-tro-lai-hon-130-nguoi-thiet-mang-post323719.html