PESHAWAR/MARDAN, May 12: Three persons were killed and two injured in post-election violence in Mardan and Parachinar on Sunday.

In Mardan, two people were killed when supporters of rival candidates in NA-9 constituency exchanged fire over a vote related issue in Gulibagh area.

The officials of Hoti police station quoted Mehmand Khan, a former Hoti union council nazim, as saying his friend identified as Zakir Khan was killed when he was caught up in the crossfire between two groups, while coming to his (Mehmand’s) home in Gulibagh locality. Mr Mehmand said the injured man succumbed to injuries on way to hospital in Peshawar.

The clash occurred between Mr Imran and his supporters belonging to ANP candidate Ameer Haider Hoti, and Asad Kashmiri and his companions supporting PML-N’s Khawaja Mohammad Hoti.

The police identified the other victim as Zulfiqar of Asad Kashmir group. The infuriated relatives of deceased Zulfiqar set fire to home, hujra and vehicles of Mr Imran. Mr Ajmeer, a relative of the deceased, registered FIR against Imran.

On the other hand, Tahir, brother of the alleged killer, Imran, also reported to the police that Asad Kashmiri, Bakhtzada, Mushtaq and Arshid had set fire to their home, hujra and vehicles causing damages to the tune of millions of rupees. The police launched efforts to arrest the accused.

In Kurram Agency, one person was killed and two wounded when security forces opened fire at a mob to quell post-poll clashes in Parachinar town, sources said in Peshawar.

Political administration clamped curfew in Parachinar, and Levies and paramilitary forces were patrolling streets, residents said. An official said situation was under control and all outsiders had been expelled from the town.

According to reports, trouble started when supporters of independent candidate from NA-37 Air Martial (retd) Syed Qaiser Hussain refused to accept results announced by the district returning officer in the wee hours of Sunday.

In the initial official results former MNA Sajid Hussain Turi was declared the winner and Syed Qaiser Hussain was the runner-up. Supporters of Mr Qaiser alleged polls had been rigged and refused to accept the result.

They alleged results had been manipulated and bogus votes were also polled at some polling stations. Sources said district returning officer initially withheld results after complaints but later it was announced.

Eyewitnesses said Qaiser Hussain and elders tried to disperse protesters who were trying to enter a mosque in the town. When situation deteriorated administration called out paramilitary forces and levies to restore order in the town.

Personnel of law enforcement agencies resorted to firing to disperse the mob. Residents said one person was killed instantly and two others got bullet injuries who were shifted to the agency headquarters hospital.

Polls have already been delayed in NA-38, Kurram Agency, following clashes between security forces and militants in Parachamkani area and subsequent displacement of local population.