Curfew clamped on Pakistan towns after sectarian clashes leave 11 dead

A 24-hour curfew was imposed in troubled areas of central Pakistan after 11 people were killed in sectarian violence, authorities said on Saturday.

The fighting between minority Shiites and the Sunni group Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamat started on Friday in Bhakkar district after the killing of a Sunni.

“We placed Darya Khan, Kotal Jam and Panj Garaeen towns of the district under a three-day curfew,” district police chief Sarfarz Falki said. The curfew was imposed on Friday night.

“We have also banned rallies and political meetings in Bhakkar city.” Six Sunnis and five Shiites were killed in the violence, he added.

Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Punjab province in which Bhakkar is located, ordered an investigation into the killings.

Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamat is linked with the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi extremist group, which has been blamed for several attacks on Shiites.

Majlis Wahadaul Muslimeen, a Shiite body, has condemned the killings of its people and announced three days of mourning.

Sunni-Shiite rivalry runs deep in Pakistan and hundreds of people have been killed because of it.