WANA (South Waziristan), June 22: Three tribesmen were killed when two groups fired on each other during a jirga convened to discuss the situation in the tribal agency on Wednesday.

Hundreds of heavily-armed men from eight sub-tribes of Ahmadzai Wazir tribe had gathered at a playground outside Wana to ponder over causes of the latest spate of target killings, rising insecurity and the law and order situation in the agency.

Soon after the jirga started its proceedings, tribal elder Gaadu, stood up and alleged that the security situation had come to a sorry state because of the dubious role of another tribal elder, Haji Baat Khan, who was also present at the jirga.

This allegation angered Haji Baat Khan who took out his gun and shot Gaadu dead. In retaliation, Gaadu’s relatives opened fire on Haji Baat Khan, killing him on the spot.

During the shootout, a bullet also hit an innocent participant , Ismail Khan Khojalkhel, killing him on the spot.