KARACHI – Sectarian killings and violence have resurfaced in Pakistan with more intensity in 2012 as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)-backed militant outfits Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and Jundallah have intensified their “jihad” against a rival religious faction, Shias, security analysts say.
From January to April, sectarian killings in Pakistan rose 91% compared to the same period in 2011, according to statistics compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP).
In first four months of 2012, about 164 people were killed in sectarian attacks, compared to 86 one year earlier, the SATP said. The SATP is an NGO that monitors terrorism and sectarianism in the South Asian countries.
Two banned sectarian groups, LeJ and Jundallah – with help from the TTP – have intensified attacks against the Shias, police said. The Taliban have also claimed responsibility for major attacks in Para Chinar and Swat and on the Korakorum Highway in recent weeks that have killed more than 48, police said.
![Pakistani Shiite Muslims February 28 in Karachi denounce the gunmen who that day attacked a passenger bus in Kohistan, killing 18 people, police said. [REUTERS/Athar Hussain]](http://www.centralasiaonline.com/shared/images/2012/05/09/paksectarian1.jpg)
Pakistani Shiite Muslims February 28 in Karachi denounce the gunmen who that day attacked a passenger bus in Kohistan, killing 18 people, police said. [REUTERS/Athar Hussain]![Paramilitary soldiers patrol the streets during unrest in Karachi March 27. [REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro]](http://www.centralasiaonline.com/shared/images/2012/05/09/paksectarian2.jpg)
Paramilitary soldiers patrol the streets during unrest in Karachi March 27. [REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro]
In first four months of 2012, about 164 people were killed in sectarian attacks, compared to 86 one year earlier, the SATP said. The SATP is an NGO that monitors terrorism and sectarianism in the South Asian countries.
Two banned sectarian groups, LeJ and Jundallah – with help from the TTP – have intensified attacks against the Shias, police said. The Taliban have also claimed responsibility for major attacks in Para Chinar and Swat and on the Korakorum Highway in recent weeks that have killed more than 48, police said.
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