At least 13 people, including five children, a woman and two FC personnel, were killed and over 54 injured in continued sectarian clashes in various parts of the Kurram Agency on Wednesday, hospital sources said. Locals said five children and a woman were killed when a mortar shell hit a government school in Sadda town. Around 31 people have been killed and dozens injured during that past five days of clashes.The clashes started about a month ago when some miscreants hurled a hand-grenade at people coming out of a mosque after offering the Friday prayers in Sadda. Life is paralysed in the agency as many houses and shops have been burnt or looted and mortar firing from rival Sunni and Shia sects.
Unofficial reports say that around 20 people were killed in mortar fire and arson attacks by the rival sects on Wednesday. Residents said two people were killed when a rocket landed in the Sakhi Ahmad Shah area of Lower Kurram in the afternoon. Earlier, two FC personnel, identified as Niaz Gul and Sakhi Gul, were killed as a mortar hit the Mengak checkpost in the same area.
Schools, hospitals: According to residents, people in several areas have started fleeing to safer places because of fresh clashes. They are shifting their women and children in schools, government hospitals and other places deemed safe. There is a shortage of food and medicines because all roads leading to the agency are closed due to a heavy exchange of fire between the rival groups. Both groups are using heavy weapons against each other. A curfew has been in place in Parachinar for the last five days without any break.
Earlier, a jirga formed by NWFP Governor Ali Mohammad Jan Orakzai announced a temporary ceasefire between the rival sects. However, the two sides attacked each other before January 10, the last date fixed by the jirga for the ceasefireÂ’s expiry.