Sectarian clashes leave at least 49 dead in Pakistan

Sunni and Shiite Muslims exchanged gunfire today in north-western Pakistan, where a week of sectarian violence has left at least 49 people dead and others 115 wounded.

However, other reports suggested a much higher death toll. A local politician told The Associated Press it was likely the worst ever sectarian fighting to hit the Kurram tribal agency, and that nearly 100 people may have died so far.

Fighting was continuing in three or four villages near the region’s main town of Parachinar, where the violence broke out last Friday, said Arbab Mohammed Arif Khan, secretary for law and order in Pakistan’s semiautonomous tribal regions.

He said that so far, 49 people had died and others 115 were wounded.

The government – which has come under criticism for failing to curb the Sunni-Shiite clashes – is moving security forces to areas where fighting is still under way, Khan said. It has also sent a 40-member delegation of tribal elders to broker a peace.

Parachinar, which has a history of sectarian violence, was quiet today, but remained under a curfew, he said.

The trouble began a week ago when unidentified people began shooting at Shiites near their mosque in the town, following days of brewing tensions over a rally organised by Sunnis to celebrate the birthday of Islam’s Prophet Mohammed.

The unrest between Sunnis and Shiites dates back to a seventh century battle over who was the true heir to Mohammed.

Syed Javed Hussain, a politician from Parachinar, said that based on reports from residents, at least 100 people on both sides may have been killed and more than 150 wounded since the clashes began.

He said it was “possibly the worst violence” ever in the area. He criticised authorities for “not doing enough” and demanded army troops restore order.