In Pakistans north-western Kurram district local officials and community-leaders achieved a break-through by securing a second cease-fire between Shiite and Sunni groups (who were locked in deadly clashes near the Afghan border)
The conflict started two weeks ago when unknown attackers targeted a multi-car convoy carrying mostly Shiite civilians resulting in 52 deaths. After burial ceremonies some members of the Shiite community launched counter-attacks against local Sunni residents; this sparked wider sectarian violence in the area
The resulting two-week long confrontation left 78 people dead and about 200 injured across the region. Pakistani authorities worked with local tribal elders to negotiate peace between the groups — marking their second attempt at establishing stability in the area
The Kurram district which sits along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border has seen on-and-off sectarian clashes over the years; however this recent outbreak was one of the most serious in recent memory. Local peace committees are now working to maintain the new agreement