Intense sectarian violence in northwestern Pakistan's Kurram district has left 82 people dead and 156 injured in just three days, local officials reported on Sunday.

The clashes erupted after two Shiite convoys traveling under police escort were ambushed on November 21 and 22, leading to deadly gunfights that extended into November 23. The violence resulted in 66 deaths from the Shiite community and 16 from the Sunni community.

Escalating Sectarian Tensions
Kurram, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghanistan border, is a flashpoint for Sunni-Shiite tensions in Pakistan, a Sunni-majority nation. Decades of animosity have fueled periodic violence, with July and September clashes claiming dozens of lives earlier this year.

Displacement and Ceasefire Efforts
The ongoing violence has forced approximately 300 families to flee the area. Mobile networks remain suspended, and the main highway in Kurram is blocked. A provincial government delegation aimed at brokering a ceasefire was met with gunfire, though no injuries were reported.

"Our priority is to secure a ceasefire before addressing the root causes," said provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam Afridi.

Persistent Crisis
This latest violence adds to the grim toll of sectarian clashes in Kurram. From July to October, 79 people were killed in similar incidents, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Demonstrations against the violence erupted in Lahore and Karachi, demanding peace and justice.

Efforts to resolve the crisis continue, but the deep-rooted tensions underscore the challenges in achieving lasting peace in the region.