At least 23 people were killed and 25 others injured in sectarian clashes in Kurrum Agency, state television reported on Sunday. Up to 194 people have been killed and 286 injured in the 11-day fighting in parts of the Agency, PTV reported. Armed men of a group torched three villages of the rival faction as clashes spread to more parts of the volatile region, near Afghan border.
Warring factions have ignored a 74-hour deadline set by the central government on Friday to stop fighting. Interior Advisor Rehman Malik had warned the factions that the government would use force against both groups if they did not stop fighting. The deadline has passed but the forces have not yet intervened. Malik on Sunday again appealed to the fighters of both faction to lay down arms for the sake of the people, who have suffered a lot and many have already fled and a large numbers are confined to houses. Locals say that fighters from both sides are using heavy weapons including rockets and mortars against each others.
They say that the government has not intervened to stop fighting and that is why clashes fast spread to most parts of the Agency. A meeting of all political and religious parties at Parachinar, a major town in the region, criticised the government's silence over the fighting. Hundreds of people have been killed and a large number displaced due to sectarian clashes over the past two years.
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