June 21, 2008	Saturday	Jamadi-us-Sani 16, 1429

PARACHINAR, June 20: Fifteen people, two paramilitary troops among them, were injured in the ongoing clashes in the Kurram Agency on Friday.

Officials said that armed men attacked a security post in Khaar Kali area near Sadda town, injuring two paramilitary troops.

Militants also attacked the Balishkhel village with heavy machine-guns and rockets, but no casualty was reported.

Clashes between rival groups also continued in Shalozan, Piwar and Tari Mangal areas in which 13 people suffered injuries. The warring factions using heavy weapons targeted each other’s houses from hilltops.

Hospital sources said that 17 people had been killed and 58 others wounded over the past three days. Tension gripped the region.

Traders and businessmen observed a strike in Parachinar on Friday in protest against Thursday’s attack on a food convoy.

Armed men attacked the convoy near Sadda town, killing four drivers. Security forces, backed by helicopter gunships, retaliated and killed three attackers and injured two dozen others, including women and children. Two of the injured died later.

Traders demanded compensation for damage and arrest of the culprits.