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Four killed in sectarian violence

At least four people were killed and several injured in sectarian clashes between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in a tribal area south of Peshawar in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province (NWFP), BBC reported on Thursday. The report said heavily armed groups from the majority Sunni and minority Shiite Muslim positioned themselves on hilltops and have been sporadically exchanging fire since fighting erupted on Tuesday night. NWFP home secretary acknowledged that heavy weapons such as mortars, missiles and rocket launchers were being used in the fighting, the BBC said. While the exact cause of the fighting remained unclear, the BBC reported that a much revered Shiite shrine, the Mian Ziarat, was located in Kelaya - a predominantly Sunni area. The Shiites had been visiting the shrine during major festivals to pay their respects, but Sunnis objected to them beating drums during their visits, the report said.

This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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