Violence roils Pakistani tribal areas
Published: March 27, 2008 at 7:03 PM
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 27 (UPI) -- About 40 people were reported dead Thursday in two days of sectarian fighting in the Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan.
Mehtab Khan, a local official in the Kohat district, told the BBC many of the dead were women and children. He said houses in one area were shelled Wednesday by heavy artillery.
The Pakistani army has been conducting operations in the province aimed at pro-Taliban fighters. That has reportedly increased tension between the Orakzai tribe, a Sunni group and the dominant one in the area, and the Shia Katchai tribe.
An attack on the Orakzai tribal council killed 20 people several days ago. Local officials said the Orakzai has responded with attacks on Katchai villages.
About 20 people were reported killed Wednesday and another 17 Thursday.
In the Kurram tribal agency, five people were killed Thursday in an unrelated attack on an ambulance. Several men armed with grenades and heavy weapons surrounded the ambulance.
Mehtab Khan, a local official in the Kohat district, told the BBC many of the dead were women and children. He said houses in one area were shelled Wednesday by heavy artillery.
The Pakistani army has been conducting operations in the province aimed at pro-Taliban fighters. That has reportedly increased tension between the Orakzai tribe, a Sunni group and the dominant one in the area, and the Shia Katchai tribe.
An attack on the Orakzai tribal council killed 20 people several days ago. Local officials said the Orakzai has responded with attacks on Katchai villages.
About 20 people were reported killed Wednesday and another 17 Thursday.
In the Kurram tribal agency, five people were killed Thursday in an unrelated attack on an ambulance. Several men armed with grenades and heavy weapons surrounded the ambulance.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
» Next in Top News:
S. Iraq fighting death toll tops 100
A Palestinian refugee Mohamad Harb 85 year Old . shows his old house keys from his former village as a symbol of hope that his may return his one day on May 12, 2008 in his Rafah refugee camp which is located within the Gaza Strip. Harb used to live in the village of Hmamh before his family was forced to immigrate to the Gaza Strip in 1948. After sixty years Harb has hope of returning to his old village which is now in Israeli territory and is named Kreat Hmamh. Traditionally Palestinians commemorate May 15th as Nakba Day or Catastrophe Day, the day the Israeli State was created in 1948.(UPI Photo/Ismael Mohamad)
Traditionally Palestinians commemorate May 15th as Catastrophe Day
Full Photo
| Slideshow
Latest Headlines
- Bill would benefit vets hurt by chemicals
- India special force to fight Maoists
- FLDS elder complains to Bush about raid
- Tailored minority asthma education works
- Poll: Bush's approval hits all-time low
- Outer Critics Circle honors 'August'
- Poor indoor air quality can trigger asthma
- United States routs Norway in World Hockey
Most Popular
- UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News
- British pet psychic helps find lost dog
- Man cuts car in half to make a point
- Speedo-wearing beach bum sues cops
- Baseballs bombard homes; field shut down
- Pastor says to forgive skull pot smokers
- Commander probed in nude shooting case
- Romantic teen runs afoul of girl's dad