Over 80 people have been killed and 156 wounded in three days of sectarian violence in Pakistan's Kurram district. The violence began after gunmen attacked Shia Muslim convoys, triggering a cycle of revenge attacks. A ceasefire has been agreed upon, but the situation remains fragile.
More than 80 people have been killed and 156 wounded in three days of sectarian violence in Pakistan ’s tribal district of Kurram , near the Afghan border, authorities confirmed. The violence, which began on Thursday, erupted when gunmen attacked convoys of Shia Muslims travelling under police escort. More than 40 people, including women and children, were killed in that incident, triggering a series of revenge attacks between Shia and Sunni communities.
After Sunday's negotiations, government spokesman Muhammad Ali Saif announced that Sunni and Shia leaders had agreed to a seven-day ceasefire. Provincial officials facilitated the talks despite reports that the negotiators’ helicopter came under fire upon arriving in the region. “The clashes and convoy attacks on November 21, 22, and 23 have resulted in 82 fatalities and 156 injuries,” a local official said on Sunday. Among the dead, 16 were Sunni and 66 were Shia, according to local authorities. The Kurram district has long been a flashpoint for tribal and sectarian conflicts over land disputes, with periodic violence between Shia and Sunni groups. This week’s unrest has forced hundreds of residents to flee, many seeking refuge in the nearby mountains under freezing conditions. 'We’ve been hearing gunfire all night. I sent the women and children of my family to hide in the mountains. The cold is unbearable, but we have no other option,” one Sunni villager said. This latest bout of bloodshed follows months of deadly clashes in the region, which had already prompted tribal leaders to call for a ceasefire. October saw a mass funeral for victims of earlier violence, showing the ongoing tensions that have left communities fractured and in fear. The provincial government has pledged to address the underlying issues fuelling the conflict, but the fragile ceasefire shows the urgent need for sustained peace-building effort
Pakistan Kurram Sectarian Violence Shia Sunni Ceasefire
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Death toll rises to 43 in Pakistan sectarian attacksThe death toll from two sectarian attacks in northwest Pakistan's Kurram district has risen to 43, officials confirmed on Friday, as authorities imposed a curfew and suspended mobile services in the tense region.
Read more »
Lakurawa terrorists launch deadly attacks in Niger RepublicSuspected members of the terror group, 'Lakurawa', have launched a series of deadly attacks in the Dosso region of Niger Republic. The incident was made known on Wednesday by Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad Basin counter-terrorism and insurgency expert, in a post on his X handle.
Read more »
New Terrorist Group, Lakurawa, Launch Deadly Attacks in Niger RepublicA Trusted Nigerian Newspaper
Read more »
After deadly attacks, Otti says govt has rejigged security in AbiaThe government’s measure is coming in the wake of the 13 November deadly attack on troops of the Joint Task Force of the South-east, codenamed Operation Udo Ka.
Read more »
Troops Intensify Manhunt as Lukarawa Escalates Deadly Attacks in Sokoto, KebbiThe Nigerian Army has escalated its operations against the terror group Lukarawa, which has reportedly been expanding its violent activities
Read more »
WHO targets 17 deadly pathogens for new vaccine developmentAccording to the study, three diseases- HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis - claim nearly 2.5 million lives annually, reinforcing the need for continued vaccine research and development (R&D).
Read more »