124 Lives Lost in Sectarian Conflict in Pakistan
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Islamabad, December 1 (NationPress) The tragic toll of sectarian conflict in the Kurram district of Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has escalated to 124 fatalities, as reported by local officials.
On Saturday, a representative from the district's local administration indicated that the death count rose after 16 additional individuals succumbed to injuries during armed confrontations within the past 24 hours. Furthermore, over 170 others have been reported injured, according to the Xinhua news agency.
The majority of the injured have been hospitalized, with many in critical condition, the official added.
The violence erupted following an attack on a convoy of passenger vehicles traveling from the Parachinar region in the Mandori Uchit area of the district on November 21, resulting in the deaths of 52 individuals, including women and children.
This incident sparked a series of armed confrontations between two factions, namely Shiite and Sunni Muslims, as per the official’s statement.
The ongoing unrest and the closure of the main highway have led to acute shortages of food, fuel, and medicine, along with disruptions to internet and mobile services, significantly impacting daily life in the area as fear envelops the community.
A high-ranking delegation from the provincial government visited the district following the assault on passenger coaches and engaged with community elders, which initially led to a ceasefire agreement, but the clashes persisted.
Deputy Commissioner of Kurram, Javedullah Mehsud, informed the media that efforts are underway to establish a ceasefire by enlisting the involvement of elders from both factions, as agreements facilitated by the government delegation have thus far been ignored.
