At least 37 people are killed in clashes between armed sectarian groups in restive northwest Pakistan | World

On November 24, 2024By Pranco

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — At least 37 people have been killed and 25 others injured in fighting between armed Sunni and Shiite groups in northwestern Pakistan, a senior police officer in the region said Saturday.

The overnight violence was the latest to rock Kurram, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and comes days after a deadly gun ambush killed 42 people.

Shia Muslims make up about 15% of the 240 million people in Sunni-majority Pakistan, which has a history of sectarian hostility between communities.

Although the two groups generally coexist peacefully, tensions persist, especially in Kurram.

Kurram Police Station Police Officer Saleem Shah said gunmen in Bagan and Bacha Kot set fire to shops, houses and government properties.

Heavy gunfire was ongoing between the Alizai and Bagan tribes in the Lower Kurram area.

“Educational institutions in Kurram have been closed due to high tensions. Both sides are targeting each other with heavy and automatic weapons,” Shah said.

Videos shared with The Associated Press showed a market engulfed in fire and orange flames piercing the night sky. Gunfire can also be heard.

A government delegation arrived in the town of Parachinar on Saturday to defuse the crisis. Provincial government spokesman Muhammad Ali Saif said the delegation met tribal elders.

“Detailed meetings were held with Shia leaders and positive discussions took place to address the issues,” he told the media. “In the next phase, meetings will take place with Sunni leaders. Our priority is to broker a ceasefire between the two sides and build lasting peace.”

The location of Thursday’s convoy attack was also targeted by armed men marching through the area.

Survivors of the gun ambush said the attackers emerged from a vehicle and sprayed buses and cars with bullets. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack and police have not identified a motive.

Dozens of people from the district’s Sunni and Shia communities have been killed since July a land dispute broke out in Kurram, which later turned into general sectarian violence.