3 killed in fresh sectarian violence in NW Pakistan

Curfew was imposed in two cities of northwest Pakistan today after three persons died in an exchange of fire as sectarian tensions spread to the region days after clashes rocked the garrison city of Rawalpindi.
The army took control of Kohat and Hangu cities of the restive Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province after curfew was clamped following an attack on an imambargah or Shia prayer hall at Zargaranabad in Kohat district.
Protests were also organised in Rawalpindi over the sectarian clashes on Friday that left 10 dead and over 50 injured.
Police officer Mazhar Jaan was quoted by Dawn newspaper as saying that unidentified persons attacked the imambargah in Kohat this morning. Two policemen and a civilian were killed in an exchange of fire between two rival groups, he said.

Several others were injured and a mob comprising members of a group set several shops on fire in Tirah Bazar.
Activists of the Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamaat, a front for the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba, had organised a rally in Kohat city to protest the clashes in Rawalpindi.

The federal government issued orders for strict action against anyone propagating sectarianism through social media or mobile phones in the wake of the clashes.
The Information Technology Ministry and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) were directed to monitor social media for controversial statements that could lead to sectarian conflict and to take measures against those spreading such content.

In Rawalpindi, fresh protests were held after the curfew imposed on Friday was lifted this morning. Students of a seminary and traders gathered outside Raja Bazar and shouted slogans against the administration.