At least 37 people have been killed in fighting between armed sectarian groups in Pakistan’s restive northwest

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) – Fighting between armed Sunni and Shiite groups in northwestern Pakistan has killed at least 37 people and injured 25 others, a senior police official in the region said Saturday.

The overnight riots were the latest to rock Kurram, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and came days after a deadly gun ambush 42 people.

Shiite Muslims make up about 15% of the 240 million people in Sunni-majority Pakistan, which has a long history religious hostility between communities.

Although the two groups generally live peacefully with each other, tensions remain, especially in Kurram.

Police officer at Kurram police station, Saleem Shah, said armed men in Bagan and Bacha Kot set fire to shops, houses and government property.

There was intense shooting between the Alizai and Bagan tribes in the Lower Kurram area.

“Educational institutions in Kurram are closed due to severe tension. Both sides are targeting each other with heavy and automatic weapons,” Shah said.

Videos shared with The Associated Press show the market square engulfed in flames and orange flames piercing the night sky. Shots are also heard.

A government delegation arrived in Parachinar town on Saturday to defuse the crisis. Provincial government spokesman Muhammad Ali Saif said the delegation was meeting with tribal elders.

“Detailed meetings have been held with Shiite leaders and positive discussions have taken place to resolve these issues,” he told the media. “In the next phase, there will be meetings with Sunni leaders. Our priority is to secure a ceasefire between the two sides and establish lasting peace.”

Location Thursday’s attack on the convoy he was also targeted by armed men who marched in the area.

Survivors of the gun ambush said the attackers exited the vehicle and fired at buses and cars. No one claimed responsibility for the attack, and police did not establish a motive.

Dozens of people from the Sunni and Shiite communities in the district have been killed since July a land dispute broke out in Kurram, which later escalated into widespread sectarian violence.