The number of victims of clashes between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in northwestern Pakistan near the Afghan border rose to more than eighty on Sunday, local authorities said. There are more than 150 wounded.
The violence began on Thursday, when two Shia convoys traveling under police guard were opened fire, killing 43 people.
Shiite groups retaliated on Friday by attacking several Sunni targets in Kurram district. At the same time, the attackers burned down hundreds of shops and residential buildings. The violence also continued on Saturday and the night before Sunday.
According to the authorities, the main road in Kurram was closed to traffic, and the mobile phone network in the area was not working. An attempt was made to negotiate a ceasefire between the parties on Sunday.
Clashes between Sunnis and Shiites are relatively common in Pakistan, where Shiite communities have long been discriminated against by Sunnis.