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.

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