18 hurt in Pakistan mosque shootout over argument

QUETTA, Pakistan. November 18. KAZINFORM Police say a shootout inside a mosque in southwestern Pakistan has wounded 18 people during one of Islam's most important holidays. The clash came after a dispute over which of two rival clerics should lead prayers, Kazinform refers to Arab News.

photo: QAZINFORM

Police official Javed Ahmed says followers of the two local religious leaders pulled out weapons and started shooting Wednesday morning at a mosque in Khuzdar district of Baluchistan province.

The region's ethnic Pashtuns typically carry rifles in daily life.

Muslims the world over are celebrating Eid Al-Adha, of the Feast of the Sacrifice. The three-day holiday, which started Wednesday in Pakistan, involves slaughter of sheep and cattle in remembrance of Abraham's near-sacrifice of his son, Kazinform cites Arab News. See www.arabnews.com