PARACHINAR, Dec 31: At least 11 people were killed and 15 others suffered injuries as fierce fighting between rival factions continued in lower parts of the Kurram Agency on Monday.

Clashes have taken place in several areas of the agency, including Pewar, Thari Mengal, Nasthikot Maqbal, Sadda, Balishkhel, Sangina, Minguk, Alizai, Makhizai, Bliamen, Jailamai and Inzari where groups of tribesmen and local Taliban have been using heavy weapons for about ten days.

Around 300 people have been killed and over 650 have sustained injuries in the clashes since Nov 16.

With curfew in force for 10 days, people are facing a severe shortage of food items and medicines.

Disconnection of electricity and gas supplies has added to people’s hardships as the entire is in the grip of harsh winter.

The weather claimed the lives of three children when their families left the troubled tribal belt for safe places in the agency.

Meanwhile, a 16-member jirga working to broker a truce held talks with representatives of rival groups in Sadda on Monday.