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Sectarian clashes in Pakistan claim at least 50
Web posted at: 11/25/2007 4:40:34
Source ::: AFP
PESHAWAR, Pakistan � At least 50 people were killed in renewed sectarian fighting overnight in a remote Pakistani district engulfed by unrest since last week, officials said yesterday.
Heavy fighting broke out at several places in the Parachinar district late Friday and continued throughout the night, a local administration official said.
"We have reports that more than 50 people died in the clashes," the official said, adding that the fighting subsided early yesterday.
Last week, rival Shi�ite and Sunni groups fought fierce gunbattles which left around 112 people dead, forcing the government to deploy troops to restore order.
The sectarian bloodshed adds to concerns facing key US ally President Pervez Musharraf, who is already facing a bloody militant revolt in northern Swat valley and frequent suicide attacks in the rest of the country.
Authorities yesterday clamped a 24-hour curfew on Swat after militants loyal to a pro-Taleban cleric exchanged heavy fire with security forces overnight, officials said.
"There was some fighting late Friday and several militants were killed, but we do not have exact details of casualties," government spokesman Amjad Iqbal said.
The new curfew runs for 24 hours from 2.00pm yesterday, he said.
The Peninsula On-line: Qatar's leading English Daily
Web posted at: 11/25/2007 4:40:34
Source ::: AFP
PESHAWAR, Pakistan � At least 50 people were killed in renewed sectarian fighting overnight in a remote Pakistani district engulfed by unrest since last week, officials said yesterday.
Heavy fighting broke out at several places in the Parachinar district late Friday and continued throughout the night, a local administration official said.
"We have reports that more than 50 people died in the clashes," the official said, adding that the fighting subsided early yesterday.
Last week, rival Shi�ite and Sunni groups fought fierce gunbattles which left around 112 people dead, forcing the government to deploy troops to restore order.
The sectarian bloodshed adds to concerns facing key US ally President Pervez Musharraf, who is already facing a bloody militant revolt in northern Swat valley and frequent suicide attacks in the rest of the country.
Authorities yesterday clamped a 24-hour curfew on Swat after militants loyal to a pro-Taleban cleric exchanged heavy fire with security forces overnight, officials said.
"There was some fighting late Friday and several militants were killed, but we do not have exact details of casualties," government spokesman Amjad Iqbal said.
The new curfew runs for 24 hours from 2.00pm yesterday, he said.
The Peninsula On-line: Qatar's leading English Daily
