Curfew was imposed in the north-west town of Hangu after clashes broke out between Sunni and Shia factions on Friday, TV channels reported. Firing started on the occasion of the Persian New Year or Nauroz, TV channels said.
One security personnel was killed and another injured in the firing, reports from the region said. There was no official confirmation of the casualties. Locals said both sides exchanged heavy weapons in Hangu Bazaar, forcing the people to stay indoors.
Troops were called out to the city to maintain peace in the troubled city. The Nauroz celebrations were going on peacefully at 'Madrasa Askaria' where a local cleric Maulana Hussain Ali was delivering speech, but suddenly firing started, locals said.
Firing started at the ceremony from four sides and from the nearby mountains, they said. There were no details about the casualties as the security forces sealed routes to the bazaar. Hangu had been the centre of violence in January this year on the occasion of Ashura marking the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Imam Hussein (AS).
The security forces are on alert to stop sectarian violence from spreading and leaders of the rival factions appealed for calm. Army and paramilitary troops have started patrolling in the town. "A curfew has been enforced in the city and there will be no more processions today," the officials said.
Witnesses said that both sides used rockets, mortars and other heavy weapons in the firing. The north-western region is prone to violence and hundreds have died this year in suicide attacks and bomb blasts.
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