At least 33 killed in fighting in Kurram

PARACHINAR, Pakistan, June 28 (UPI) -- At least 33 people were killed and 65 others wounded in sectarian fighting in Pakistan's Kurram region bordering Afghanistan, local officials said.

Local tribes, some infiltrated by the Taliban, have been fighting each other in an area of intense military activity in Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province, Dawn reported Sunday.

Clashes Friday night and Saturday occurred in Lower Kurram as two warring groups were consolidating their positions, Dawn reported.

Haji Rauf, a tribal leader in upper Kurram, called Saturday for additional government troops to push the Taliban from the area.

"We have had over 700 young people martyred but have not allowed these militants to secure a toehold in upper Kurram," Rauf said. "Now the influx of Taliban from Swat, Dir and other areas is worsening the situation."

Local tribesman from upper Kurram would stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Pakistani armed forces if the government were to commit more troops, Rauf said.

Sectarian clashes have closed the main road into upper Kurram for the last five months, causing severe shortages of food and medicine to the region,, Dawn said.