At least 50 people were killed in renewed sectarian fighting overnight in Parachinar engulfed by unrest since last week, officials said on Saturday.

Heavy fighting broke out at several places in the Parachinar district late Friday and continued throughout the night, a local administration official said.

“We have reports that more than 50 people died in the clashes,” the official said, adding that the fighting subsided early Saturday.

Last week rival groups fought fierce gun-battles which left around 112 people dead, forcing the government to deploy troops to restore order.

Our Parachinar correspondent adds: Situation in Kurram Agency is gradually returning to normal after fresh clashes as local Jirgas have intensified efforts for peace in the area that remained under curfew for the ninth consecutive day.

On Saturday, the Scouts, Kurram Militia, Kurram Levies and officials of political administration started patrolling the main highway between Chappari, Sadda and Parachinar.

Commandant Kurram Militia Qazi Riaz told media that the road was now safe and convoys of security forces would start patrolling the area from Sunday. He said security forces have established more posts in Parachinar and carried out four flag marches in the town on Saturday.

Political Agent Zaheerul Islam, while briefing the media, said the situation in Parachinar was under control.

Negotiations initiated by the Hangu Jirga as well as local Jirgas were successfully continuing, whereas formation of a joint Jirga has also been agreed upon by both the sides, which will identify the root causes of the problem and culprits.

He expressed the confidence that there would be complete normalcy in the agency shortly.

Meanwhile, on directive of the NWFP governor, 50 tonnes of relief goods including edibles for the locally displaced people are being airlifted to Parachinar. The consignment includes blankets, tents, jerry canes and warm clothes besides flour, sugar, rice, Ghee and milk. The Pakistan Red Crescent Society’s Fata chapter chairman distributed the first consignment of relief goods on behalf of the governor in Parachinar.

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