Following days of fighting that have left at least 68 people dead and numerous others injured, government representatives met with tribal chiefs in northwest Pakistan on Sunday in an attempt to mediate a ceasefire between warring sectarian factions.
At least 40 people, primarily Shiite Muslims, were killed when gunmen assaulted convoys of civilian vehicles on Thursday, sparking the fighting. Retaliatory attacks against Sunni citizens followed, and armed groups from both sides engaged in fierce combat.
A land dispute in Kurram district, close to the Afghan border, has led to decades of tribal and sectarian conflict between armed Shiite and Sunni Muslims.
According to Muhammad Ali Saif, the communications minister for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which includes Kurram, a government delegation arrived in the main city of Parachinar Kurram on Saturday to meet with leaders from both sides.
According to a statement, the delegation met with Shiite leaders and stayed overnight to meet with Sunni leaders on Sunday in an attempt to arrange a truce agreement before taking further action to end the conflict.
He stated that there had been encouraging advancements in stakeholder engagements.
The number of people killed by retaliatory violence since Thursday’s bus attacks has increased to at least 28, according to two government sources who asked not to be named because of the delicate nature of the situation.
Given the lack of contacts in the area and the difficulty in obtaining new information on casualties, they were concerned that the death toll would increase. They claimed that although the government delegation’s chopper was also targeted, it made a safe landing on Saturday.
Settlements inhabited by adherents of competing sects have been targeted by armed groups. Schools and stores are still shuttered, and many residences have been evacuated.According to the government, several gas stations have been set on fire.
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