August 25, 2008	Monday	Sha'aban 22, 1429

PARACHINAR / KOHAT, Aug 24: At least 42 people were killed and 62 others injured in fierce clashes between rival tribes in different parts of Kurram Agency on Saturday night and Sunday.

According to sources, fresh clashes broke out after a jirga failed to broker a ceasefire and returned to Hangu.

The death toll in 18 days of violence rose to over 400 with another 700 having suffered injuries. Reports of fighting were received from Enzari, Bagazai, Alizai, Khwar Kallay, Balishkhel and Sangina areas of lower Kurram and Piwar, Boghaki and Para Chamkani in upper Kurram.

The sources said security forces halted their operation after militants threatened to attack the Arawali fort. About 20 suspects were killed during two days of the operation.

The Hangu peace jirga headed by District Nazim Haji Khan Afzal returned from Sadda when fighting intensified.

However, its members decided to continue peace efforts and hold another round of dialogue with elders of both the tribes next week.

The army has been on standby since the expiry of last Thursday’s deadline given to both sides.

Six Sunni tribes -- Para Chamkani, Masozai, Ali Sherzai, Zermusht, Mengal and Sunni Bangash -- had sought another two to three days for discussing the ceasefire proposal and conveying their point of view to the jirga. But the tribes could not reach a decision and sought more time after which the jirga returned to Hangu.