Tribal clashes claim 49 lives in Pakistan's Kurram district, some reports believe it was a conflict between Shia and Sunni Muslims

According to the police and district administration, armed clashes between Boshehra and Maleekhel tribesmen had begun on the evening of July 24, reported Dawn News.

Local jigra leaders tried to intervene and solve the situation but fighting continued with both sides using heavy weapons to target each other.

However, the ceasefire has been reached and situation has improved since Monday night.

“Both tribes have agreed to a ceasefire and the clashes have been halted since last night,” Kurram DC Javedullah Mehsud told Dawn.com.

“The parties were made to clear the bunkers [and] security forces have been deployed there, while no gunfire was reported at five locations of Kurram District,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, a section of the media claimed the clash actually occurred between Shia and Sunni community members.

The root cause of the conflict, as reported by mainstream media, is a land dispute between different tribes. These tribes are divided along sectarian lines, with some being Shia and others Sunni, reported Organiser.

Many on social media have labelled the violence as a sectarian conflict, even calling it ‘genocide against the Shia community’, the media report said.