BAJAUR, Jan 20: Three persons were killed and two others were wounded in a fierce battle between the two rival parties over the setting up of a tubewell in Salazai area of the agency.

The government had decided to construct the tubewell to supply potable water to the residents, who agreed to destroy poppy crop in the area. But two cousins, who are also tribal chieftains, developed a row over the tubewell.

Both — Malik Jamal Khan and Malik Gul Khan— wanted to get tubewell established on their lands.

On Monday, when the public health engineering department staff, along with their machinery, reached at the land of Malik Jamal Khan in Batwar area, Malik Gul Khan tried to stop the work on the project.

This led to a shootout between the rival groups in which Akbar Gul, Shah Tehmas and Munir Khan were killed on the spot while Tor Gul and another man were wounded.

The wounded were admitted to the agency headquarters hospital.

The authorities have arrested five people from both sides on various charges.