Violence flared again after a Sunni attack on two convoys carrying Shiite families on Thursday. In retaliation, Shiites carried out raids on Sunni neighborhoods on Friday and Saturday.
The new outbreak of violence between Sunnis and Shiites since Thursday in northwest Pakistan has left 82 dead and 156 injured. “Among the dead, 66 are Shiites and 16 Sunnis”said on condition of anonymity an official in the Kourram district, in the province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the scene of months of sectarian violence. Local officials reported “light and heavy weapon fire in different areas”. However, they specify that no deaths or injuries have been reported since Saturday evening.
On Thursday, around ten attackers fired on sight at two convoys transporting Shiite families under police escort. In retaliation, on Friday and Saturday, Shiites carried out raids on Sunni neighborhoods, notably burning hundreds of stores and houses, residents and authorities reported. Since then, the mobile telephone network has been cut in Kourram, as has traffic on the district's main expressway.
At least 160 dead since July
Since July, the conflict between Sunnis and Shiites in Kourram, in the mountains bordering Afghanistan, has left more than 160 dead, according to consistent sources. Invariably, after a few weeks of calm, hostilities between tribes of different persuasions, particularly relating to the question of land, resumed despite truces decreed by tribal councils (jirgas). In this district, a former tribal area where tribal codes of honor are strong, the security forces are struggling to impose their law, while the federal government and even the provincial government which sits in Peshawar are struggling to gain a foothold.
Again, on Saturday, senior officials were dispatched from the provincial capital, further east. As their helicopter descended on Parachinar, the district's main town and Shiite stronghold, shots came from the ground, a police source reported to AFP, affirming that they had caused no casualties or damage. “This delegation held detailed discussions with the Shiite community on Saturday and will meet the Sunnis”largely in the majority in Pakistan, on Sunday, the local administration said.
“Our priority is to obtain a ceasefire from both parties”said the provincial Ministry of Justice. “When we have it, then we can talk about the other problems”he added, while Shiites have long claimed to be discriminated against in Pakistan and, throughout the country, Pakistanis accuse the police of failing to protect them.
