| [Pak Daily Times] A bomb blast at a meeting of tribal elders in Kurram Agency on Monday killed seven people. "Seven people have been killed in a landmine blast," said area administrator Syed Musaddiq Shah. He said the blast took place in Khumas village about 10 kilometres east of Parachinar. He said it was unclear whether the blast was an intended attack or whether the ordinance had exploded accidentally. Another administration official said seven people were injured in the blast, which occurred during a jirga between two tribes. The tribesmen were gathered to resolve a dispute over ownership of a school building. Kurram has for three years been a flashpoint for violence between Shia and Sunni Muslims. More than 4,000 people have died in outbreaks of sectarian violence between the groups since the late 1980s. The army earlier carried out a months-long operation in the area, pounding militant hideouts with jets and helicopter gunships. |