PARACHINAR, Nov 20: Security forces have not succeeded in ending violence in the Kurram Agency and clashes continued in lower and upper parts of the troubled region on Tuesday.

The warring factions attacked each other’s positions with heavy weapons in Sadda, Balishkhel, Tangai, Arawali, Terimingal and Piwar areas, killing six people, including a paramilitary soldier, and injuring four others.

A 16-member peace jirga had brokered a ceasefire on Monday but it has not taken effect in some parts of the agency.

In Parachinar, army and paramilitary forces have secured all sensitive areas.

Cobra helicopters hovered over the town and outsiders were warned to leave as soon as possible.

The town has been sealed and troops are patrolling the streets. It is under curfew and without electricity and water.

About 18 bodies were found by security personnel in different localities.

Several houses and shops in the town were set ablaze by the rioters.

It is learnt that 117 people, including 12 security personnel, have been killed and over 260 injured since the outbreak of sectarian violence in the area on Friday.

The agency has been cut off from the rest of the country and Afghanistan with all roads closed.

Sources said four people were killed in Arawali village in the Lower Kurram and one tribesman in Piwar area of the Upper Kurram.

Four people were injured in clashes in Sadda and Balishkhel. Fighting was continuing in areas bordering Afghanistan.

Residents said armed groups still occupied positions on hilltops attacking residential areas with missiles and rockets.

Trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan via Kurram has been suspended due to the closure of the Thall-Parachinar highway.

The peace jirga headed by former district nazim Pir Haider Ali Shah had brokered the ceasefire in Parachinar and the town was handed over to the army.

Political Agent Zaheerul Islam told Dawn that security forces were under standing order to take action against anyone violating the ceasefire.

He said that after securing Parachinar, the jirga would initiate formal negotiations with the rival groups in other parts of the agency.