PARACHINAR, Nov 24: Contrary to the government’s claim that the situation was returning to normalcy in Kurram Agency, clashes continued between rival groups in several areas on Saturday.

The groups clashed in lower and upper parts of the agency on Friday night and Saturday, while Parachinar city remained under curfew. The curfew was imposed on Nov 16.

Sources said the rival tribes targeted each other’s positions in Terimingal, Piwar, Kunj Alizai, Muqbal and Tangai amid displacement of families from the affected areas.

The highway between Parachinar and Thall via Sadda remained closed.

A jirga comprising elders of Hangu district and Orakzai Agency had brokered a ceasefire in Parachinar, Sadda and Arawali areas.

A handout issued in Peshawar claimed that the situation was returning to normalcy as the local jirga had intensified efforts for peace and harmony.

The Scouts, Kurram Militia, Kurram Levies and officials of the political administration begun patrolling the Chappari-Sadda-Parachinar highway.

Kurram Militia Commandant Qazi Riaz said the road was safe and convoys of security forces would begin patrolling the entire area on Sunday. He said the security forces established more posts and carried out four flag-staff marches in the town on Saturday.

Meanwhile, 50 tons of relief goods, including blankets, tents, jerry cans, warm cloths, flour, sugar, rice, ghee and milk, are being airlifted to Parachinar for the displaced people on the directives of the NWFP governor.

AFP adds: At least 50 people were killed in renewed fighting overnight, officials said.