August 22, 2008	Friday	Sha'aban 19, 1429

PARACHINAR, Aug 21: Eight people were killed and 15 others wounded as clashes continued between rival tribes in the Kurram tribal region on Thursday.

Sources said that 20 militants had been killed in two days of operation launched by security forces.

The warring tribes fired missiles, mortars and rockets on each other’s positions in Enzari, Belyamin, Tangay, Khwar Kallay, Balishkhel and Karman. Two children were injured in a missile attack.

The security forces attacked suspected militant positions with mortars.

The fighting between the Toori and Bangash tribes has been going on for 15 days.

Last week, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Rehman Malik gave a 72-hour ultimatum to the warring groups to end fighting or face action. The deadline ended on Monday.

Meanwhile, elders of the Toori tribe announced their support for a jirga from Hangu and Orakzai to negotiate a deal for peace in the agency.

Sources said that members of the jirga were also holding talks with other tribes in Sadda.

Jirga chief Syed Hussain Ali Shah Alhussaini told journalists in Parachinar that the jirga had held talks with Toori elders who agreed to support the move for peace in the area.

He said the jirga was now waiting for a response from Bangash and other tribes.

Mr Alhussaini said Mr Malik had been given a wrong briefing about the situation in Kurram. He said it was not a sectarian issue, but one of interference by some outsiders who did not want peace in the area.