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Curfew clamped after violence in Pakistani tribal town
Peshawar, July 29: Pakistani authorities imposed a round-the-clock curfew in the northwestern tribal town of Parachinar overnight after violence erupted over the death of man shot by police, officials said today.
Peshawar, July 29: Pakistani authorities imposed a round-the-clock curfew in the northwestern tribal town of Parachinar overnight after violence erupted over the death of man shot by police, officials said today.
"An unruly mob of some 2,500 attacked government offices, destroyed records, looted some shops and set on fire official vehicles on Monday" a security official told newspersons.
Parachinar, in the semi-autonomous Kurram region bordering Afghanistan, has been put under an indefinite curfew and people have been asked not to leave their homes, the official preferring anonymity, said.
Residents told newspersons by telephone that police and paramilitary troops were patrolling in the area. Officials said that the trouble erupted when troops from the local Kurram militia signaled a pick-up truck for "routine" checking but its driver sped away. The militiamen chasing the vehicle opened fire which resulted in the death of the driver on spot.
When his body reached Parachinar, angry residents took to the streets and attacked government buildings, they said.
The authorities summoned troops to quell violence and the situation is now "under control," they said, adding that more than 20 people responsible for the incident have been rounded up.
Residents said that troops also detained several people for violating the curfew. Pakistan has tightened security along its northwestern border and recently additional check posts have been set up to block possible infiltration of suspected Taliban and al-Qaeda fugitives from neighbouring Afghanistan.
Parachinar, in the semi-autonomous Kurram region bordering Afghanistan, has been put under an indefinite curfew and people have been asked not to leave their homes, the official preferring anonymity, said.
Residents told newspersons by telephone that police and paramilitary troops were patrolling in the area. Officials said that the trouble erupted when troops from the local Kurram militia signaled a pick-up truck for "routine" checking but its driver sped away. The militiamen chasing the vehicle opened fire which resulted in the death of the driver on spot.
When his body reached Parachinar, angry residents took to the streets and attacked government buildings, they said.
The authorities summoned troops to quell violence and the situation is now "under control," they said, adding that more than 20 people responsible for the incident have been rounded up.
Residents said that troops also detained several people for violating the curfew. Pakistan has tightened security along its northwestern border and recently additional check posts have been set up to block possible infiltration of suspected Taliban and al-Qaeda fugitives from neighbouring Afghanistan.
Bureau Report