QUETTA, Jan 4: Five tribesmen were killed in a clash near Gulistan area of Qila Abdullah district on Friday.

Police sources said that a land dispute between two tribal groups led to the clash in which heavy weapons were used.

The clash started when members of one group opened fire on their rivals. In the heavy exchange of fire the five tribesmen from both the sides were killed.

Hearing about the clash, more armed men rushed to the area and took positions. However, law-enforcement personnel cordoned off the area and forced the armed men from both sides to withdraw.

The situation was tense and the district administration deployed heavy contingents of police and Frontier Corps to prevent more clashes. Police were reported to have taken scores of people into custody.