82 killed, 156 injured in Sectarian Clashes in Pakistan’s Kurram region

Local authorities in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have reported that at least 82 people have been killed and 156 injured in intense sectarian clashes between Sunni and Shia Muslim groups in the Kurram region.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported on Sunday, November 24, citing an unnamed local official, that over the past three days, 16 Sunni Muslims and 66 Shia Muslims have been killed in the violence.

The Economic Times confirmed these figures, highlighting that the clashes have resulted in at least 82 deaths and 156 injuries so far.

This wave of sectarian violence erupted last Thursday when two separate Shia Muslim convoys, under police protection, were attacked, leading to at least 43 deaths.

Pakistan is a predominantly Sunni Muslim country, but the Kurram district near the Afghanistan border has a significant Shia population. Sectarian tensions between these two communities have persisted for decades.

The ongoing violence in Kurram underscores the deep-rooted sectarian divide in Pakistan, which continues to challenge the country’s social and political stability. Long-standing grievances and sporadic acts of violence have contributed to an environment of mistrust and hostility.

Addressing this issue requires sustained government intervention, focused on promoting dialogue and protecting minority communities. Without targeted efforts to bridge these divides, such conflicts risk escalating further, posing a significant threat to peace and unity in the region.

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