June 19, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-us-Sani 14, 1429

PARACHINAR, June 18: The ongoing clashes between rival groups have spilled over to another area of the Upper Kurram tribal region in which three persons were killed and seven others injured in the fresh spate of violence on Wednesday, officials said.

Rival groups in Piwar and Tari Mangal have been fighting each other for the last four months. However, fresh clashes erupted between Mangal and Bangash tribesmen in Shalozan, some 20 kilometres northwest of Parachinar.

Mangal tribesmen claimed that some miscreants attacked their positions on Tuesday which sparked fresh clashes in the area. In retaliation Mangal tribesmen attacked Bangash tribe’s positions with mortar shells and heavy machineguns which killed three people and wounded five others. Two more persons were injured in the retaliation by the rival group.

Skirmishes between the two sides were continued till filing of this report. The injured persons were shifted to a hospital in Parachinar.

Officials said that paramilitary forces pounded positions of the Mangal tribesmen with heavy artillery on Wednesday evening when they refused to vacate their bunkers on the hilltops.

Local people said that despite artillery firing armed tribesmen were still holding up their bunkers. Political administration asked the warring factions to vacate their position by 3pm Wednesday or face action. However, Mangal tribesmen ignored the deadline.