Tribal clashes in northwestern Pakistan leave dozens dead

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) – Dozens of people have been killed in a string of tribal clashes in northwestern Pakistan over the past five days before the warring tribes struck a fragile cease-fire on Wednesday.

Clashes occurred in several parts of volatile Kurram district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders neighboring Afghanistan, over a minor dispute between two families over sowing of crop on Saturday last.

Sajid Turi, a former lawmaker from Kurram and a member of Jirga or tribal assembly, told Anadolu over telephone that the warring sides involving Shias and Sunnis have agreed on a cease-fire.

“The two sides have reached a cease-fire today (Wednesday) but I am not sure how long will it survive," Turi said, referring to the volatile situation in the district.

According to him, at least 20 to 25 people from both sides have been killed in clashes over the past five days.

A local journalist, wishing not to be named, told Anadolu over telephone that the death toll is even higher.

Located some 218 kilometers (135 miles) off the provincial capital Peshawar, Kurram district has seen frequent tribal and sectarian clashes in recent years. The district’s Parachinar town is one of the few Shia-dominated areas in largely Sunni Pakistan.

At least 43 people were killed and another 180 injured in days-long tribal clashes over a land dispute in Kurram in July this year.