Death toll mounts to 90 in Khurram Tribal Agency
19 November, 2007
PESHAWAR: Sectarian clashes between Sunni and Shia are unabated in Kurram tribal agency on Sunday, and the death toll in three days of fighting has swelled to 91 including eleven Security Personnels, locals said.
Earlier, according to the local people, the number of people killed in the clashes has risen to 50.
Spokesman Pakistan Army Maj. Gen. Waheed Arshad told BBC, the number of injured in three day clashes is over 100 including 15 Security Personnels.
On Saturday night, continues fighting was spread to Qasida, an area of Parachinar, headquarter of Kurram agency, where battling tribesmen were using heavy weapons including mortars and grenades.
Two soldiers were died while 13 others received serious injuries when some unidentified armed men launched attack on the convoy in area of Malish Khail, Parachinar, Haji Iqbal, a resident of Sadda told BBC. However, the relevant authorities could not confirm the incident.
Another resident told BBC, five people of same family were died when mortal shells struck their house in Parachinar. He said there is no food and electricity in the areas. He criticized Government and political administration by saying that they were not ready to quell clashes.
Talking to BBC, Fakhar Alam Political Agent said that the tribal Jirga are being formed to quell ongoing clashes, adding that, three Tehsildars abducted by Shia have been released.
Authorities imposed a curfew on Friday and sent the army to Parachinar but due to intense fighting the soldiers could not be entered in the city, he disclosed.
On the other hand, people are facing severe problems due to closure of roads in Parachinar since last three days. Schools remained closed and there is no electricity there.
Sources in agency headquarter hospital said that only one surgeon is treating patients, as 12 other posts of surgeon are still vacant. There is severe shortage of medicines in the hospital.
The clashes in Parachinar erupted after the firing of unidentified people in which two people were injured.
It may be recalled that sectarian clashes erupted on 6 April in a row over a religious procession in which 84 people lost their lives according to official statistics while the independent and local sources told that 150 people were killed in the clashes.
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