Curfew imposed in Pakistan's northern town of Skardu
Pakistan Times Wire Service

ISLAMABAD: Authorities imposed a round-the-clock curfew in a second, remote town in northern Pakistan on Thursday to contain sectarian unrest that has left 17 people dead, officials said.

Reports say that people took to the streets in Skardu to mourn the death Thursday of a prominent cleric whose shooting last week triggered riots in the town of Gilgit.

Federal Minister for northern areas Faisal Saleh Hayyat confirmed that troops had been summoned in Skardu about 100 miles southeast of Gilgit "after an unfortunate incident took place there."

The religious leader, Agha Ziauddin, was critically wounded Jan. 8 when unidentified gunmen opened fire on his car in Gilgit, about 150 miles north of the capital, Islamabad.

A round-the-clock curfew, with short relaxation remains in force in Gilgit and troops are vigilant round-the-clock to keep peace in the area. ●