Over 130 deaths reported in Sectarian clashes in Pakistan

Reports indicate that the death toll from recent sectarian clashes in the Kurram region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, has reached 133.

Wajid Hussain, a local official stated that efforts to halt the fighting between Shia and Sunni residents in the area have so far been unsuccessful.

Shia and Sunni Muslims, primarily armed, have experienced sectarian violence in the Kurram region for decades over land disputes and other local issues.

The recent clashes began on November 21 when gunmen attacked a Shia pilgrims’ convoy traveling from Parachinar to Peshawar, resulting in at least 43 deaths.

Rival groups agreed to a seven-day ceasefire last Sunday, brokered by a government delegation. However, local officials have stated that the fighting continues despite the truce.

Wajid Hussain, a local official in Kurram, mentioned that local authorities and other concerned officials have made efforts to stop the fighting, but no progress has been made.

Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, the senior minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, met with tribal elders and leaders in the region on Saturday. In a statement, Gandapur warned that anyone who takes up arms would be treated as a terrorist, with the same fate as terrorists. He added that security forces would remain in the region.

Meanwhile, residents and local officials reported that the main highway connecting Parachinar, the center of Kurram, to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has been blocked, creating challenges in transporting the wounded to hospitals.

Mir Hassan from the Parachinar hospital stated that they are currently treating around 100 injured patients and have received 50 bodies amid the violence.

The ongoing sectarian violence in Kurram continues to escalate, causing severe casualties and disrupting daily life. Despite the government’s efforts to mediate peace, the deep-rooted sectarian tensions between Shia and Sunni communities persist, leading to more violence.

The situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is further complicated by the involvement of the Pakistani Taliban and rising attacks in the region. As the conflict deepens, urgent intervention is needed to prevent further loss of life and restore peace in the affected areas.

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