82 killed in three days of Pakistan sectarian violence

Dozens killed in sectarian clashes in northwestern Pakistan, with ongoing violence prompting government intervention and community negotiations.

Three days of bitter sectarian gunfights in northwestern Pakistan have killed at least 82 people and wounded 156 more, a local official said on Sunday (November 24, 2024).

Pakistan is a Sunni-majority country but Kurram district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province — near the border with Afghanistan — has a large Shia population and the communities have clashed for decades.

The latest bout of violence began on Thursday when two separate convoys of Shia Muslims travelling under police escort were ambushed, killing at least 43 and sparking two days of gun battles.

"The clashes and convoy attacks on November 21, 22, and 23 have resulted in 82 fatalities and 156 injuries," said a local administration official speaking on condition of anonymity.

"Among the deceased 16 were Sunni, while 66 belonged to the Shia community," he said.

Around 300 families fled on Saturday as the gunfights with both light and heavy weapons continued into the night, however no fresh casualties were reported on Sunday morning.

"The mobile network across Kurram remains suspended and traffic on the main highway is halted," the local administration official said.