Pakistan military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf today banned two rival Islamic militant groups.
They are often blamed by authorities for sectarian violence between the majority Sunni and the minority Shi'ite sects of Islam.
He announced the ban on the Sunni group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and the Shi'ite Sipah-eMohammad in a speech to heads of newly elected district councils on Pakistan's 54th independence day anniversary.
Gen Musharraf also warned the main Shi'ite party Tehrik-e-Jafria Pakistan (TJP) and Sunni Sipah-e-Sahaba group they might also be banned if found to be involved in sectarian violence.
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Tit-for-tat sectarian violence in Pakistan has killed scores of people this year and hundreds in recent years.