Before 1988 Shia and Sunni sects in Hangu were living together in peace intermarraiges between both the sects were quite common, in year 1988 first incident of secterian violence took place, then secterian feelings were further inflamed by politicians to increase their vote bank, election campaigns were increasingly dominated by secterian issues to grab votes by political figures.When Mutahida Qaumi Movement an alliance of diferent religious parties was formed secterian feelings were pacified,but with fall of Sadam Husain in Iraq and rise of Shia sect into Power in Iraq Shia Sunni biases were aroused again, recent incident which took place on 9th February 2006 in which 22 persons of Shia sect were killed during mourning procession, their death was caused by two bomb explosions and was followed by full fledge armed clash between both sects, situation was controlled by Pakistan Army, hundereds of shops were burnt to ashes in Hangu soon after explosions by angry Shia protestors, Shia sect men of Rescue 15 police force were actively engaged in sabotage activity soon after explosions, overwhelmed by secterian rage they were using their weapons to kill the Sunni sect people, it was revealed by a police official on condition of anaonymity that Constable Shabab Hussain was arrested in murder case, he was a Rescue 15 police man, SSP Hangu has ended Rescue 15 police department Hangu after the incident.During three weaks of clashes between both sects in Hangu according to police sources death toll was raised to 48.
Inspector General Police of NWFP Mr Riffat Pasha has termed Hangu incident as revegeful act of terrorists, in response to Waziristan Operations, where Pakistan armed forces are taking action against Alqaida and Taliban fighters.He is of the view that Hangu, Kohat, Bannu, DI Khan, and Tank areas are targeted by revengeful terrorists, adversely affected by Waziristan Operations initiated by Pak Army. Its a fact that during Afghan war weapons in NWFP tribal areas were available at very cheap prices, though Hangu is a settled area but it is surrounded by two tribal agencies, Kuram Agency predominantly Shia sect area and Orakzai Agency predominantly Sunni area shares borders with Hangu, both the tribal areas share borders with Afghanistan too. Though due to intervention of Pak armed forces situation is under control in Hangu, but both the sects are accumulating weapons, if are not pacified will collide again, soon after the army pulls out from Hangu.
BY
ABDUR RAZIQ
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