Almost 200 people have died in nearly two weeks of fierce sectarian clashes between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in a remote Pakistani tribal region, officials said Sunday.The toll rose after 23 people were killed in fresh fighting overnight in the Kurram tribal region bordering Afghanistan, which has historically experienced tensions between the two sides, they said.
| Local newspapers said that Taliban militants from the neighboring North Waziristan tribal zone had entered Kurram to back the Sunni tribes involved in the fighting, now in its 12th day. |
Residents said Sunni tribesmen torched three villages belonging to Shiite tribes and both sides used rockets, heavy machine guns and mortars in the fierce clashes. "In today's and yesterday's clashes at least 23 people have been killed on both sides and 28 others were injured," a security official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
According to reports gathered through local intelligence officials and hospitals, the overall death toll from the days of fighting has risen to 194, with 286 others injured, the official said.
The government earlier this week warned the tribes to end the fighting or face military action. Local administration officials said that elders from both tribes have been approached to restore peace in the area and local residents are also supporting the initiative.
Sectarian violence involving militants from Sunni and Shiite sects has claimed more than 4,000 lives in Pakistan since the late 1980s.
That's it? Only 4000 deaders? At the rate they burn ammunition? Highly unlikely, I'd say.