NOV 24,(V7N) - Three days of intense sectarian violence in Kurram district, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of northwestern Pakistan, have left at least 82 people dead and 156 injured, officials reported on Sunday.

The clashes, which began Thursday, have primarily involved members of the Sunni and Shia communities, with 16 Sunnis and 66 Shias among the deceased, according to a local administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The violence was triggered by ambushes on two separate convoys of Shia Muslims travelling under police protection. The attacks killed at least 43 people, sparking widespread gun battles between the two sectarian groups that continued for two days.

Kurram district, near the border with Afghanistan, has a history of sectarian tensions, often leading to deadly confrontations. Although Pakistan is a majority Sunni nation, the district has a significant Shia population, making it a recurring flashpoint for such conflicts.

Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam Afridi emphasized the immediate need for a ceasefire to prevent further bloodshed. "Our priority today is to broker a ceasefire between both sides. Once that is achieved, we can begin addressing the underlying issues," Afridi stated on Sunday.

Authorities are reportedly engaging with community leaders to restore peace and resolve the longstanding grievances that fuel these periodic clashes.

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