MULTAN, June 13: Five people were reportedly killed in an exchange of fire between the Mazari and Bugti tribes in the Rojhan area of Rajanpur district on the Punjab-Balochistan border, on Friday.

Although the officials have confirmed death of one Mazari, the people of the area claimed that the Bugtis had taken away bodies of their four tribesmen gunned down by their rivals.

Reports said some 12 to 15 Bugti tribesmen entered Punjab in a jeep near Sheikhwala checkpost of Border Military Police (the path they allegedly used to enter the Punjab for plundering). A group of Kasrani sub-clan of the Mazari tribe, residing in the Sheikhwala area, has an enmity with the neighbouring Bugtis.

A few months ago the Bugtis had killed a Kasrani youngman. Thereafter, the Kasranis often remained vigilant to the intrusion of the Bugtis by deputing five or six clansmen to watch their (Bugtis’) movement.

On Friday, the Bugtis allegedly started journey towards the Punjab on two vehicles for unknown reasons. When the first vehicle entered the Punjab, the vigilant Kasranis reportedly directed them to identify them. At this, the Bugti tribesmen opened fire which was returned by the Kasranis.

In the shootout that followed, Shaklu Kasrani died on the spot while two other Mazaris, Murad, son of Behla Khan, and Murad, son of Ali Murad, were injured. The injured were taken to the Rajanpur district headquarters hospital.

Rojhan police have registered a case against more than a dozen Bugti assailants. The Kasrani tribesmen claimed that at least four of the assailants were killed when they retaliated. They also claimed that the attacker had taken away the bodies.

When contacted, Rajanpur District Police Officer Chaudhry Muneer did not confirm the deaths of the Bugtis, saying “according to his knowledge only a Mazari was killed in the incident.”