LOC13:38
10:38 GMT
ISLAMABAD, March 28 (KUNA) -- Over four-day long sectarian clashes between
Sunni and Shiite Muslims have further intensified, killing as many as 50
people, said officials on Friday.
Clashes broke out between Orakai and Kachai tribes after firing on a Jirga
killed at least 17 tribesmen including tribal elders.
A local government official, Kamran Zeb, talking to newsmen said the
clashes have been further intensified, adding that 15 more people were killed
on late on Thursday.
He said more than 50 people including women and children have been killed
in fierce clashes while dead bodies are lying inside houses and in fields. He
added that both sides were using heavy weapons, mortar shells and rockets.
The government has, so far, been unable to pacify both sides though reports
suggested that military gunship helicopters have been dispatched to the area
but fighting was still continuing.
Kamran Zeb said that several villages have been affected while, hundreds of
houses have been destroyed. (end)
amn.rk
KUNA 281338 Mar 08NNNN