By Xinhua
Islamabad : More than 100 people have been killed and around 230 injured in four days of sectarian clashes in northwest Pakistan’s tribal area as violence spread to villages Monday, local TV channels reported.
At least eight more people were killed and 17 others injured when two missiles landed in a marketplace in Kurram tribal agency (district) in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Monday, the reports said.
In another development, some 18 people were injured as two mortars landed at a vegetable market of Sadda town, 30 km from Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram agency, as troops took control of the area to quell sectarian violence, according to the local Aaj TV channel.
Violence erupted between Sunnis and Shiites Friday after unidentified persons attacked the people coming out of a mosque in Parachinar, injuring two persons.
The authorities have imposed curfew in Parachinar and closed all routes to the city.
Security forces have taken control of the city. Army helicopters hit bunkers of the opposing sides from where they were firing rocket and mortar shells.
Locals said that clashes have spread to small villages in Kurram agency as the army had been concentrating on Parachinar.
The local administration has failed to secure a cease-fire and a jirga or council of tribal elders is set to move to Parachinar for talks to broker peace.
Kurram agency had also witnessed sectarian violence in April this year in which 84 people were killed.