LANDI KOTAL: Seven people were injured with the condition of one stated to be critical when supporters of rival candidates clashed during a campaign rally in Landi Kotal on Sunday.

Sources said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf had arranged a corner meeting at the hujra (guesthouse) of one of its supporters in Lakhkar Kalay area of Khuga Khel to which the supporters of rival independent candidate objected.

Rival groups attacked each other with sticks, knives and stones after an exchange of heated words. Some of them also resorted to firing in the air which damaged an electricity transformer.

Local officials said they took one member each from both the groups into custody after the clash left at least seven persons injured, mostly with knife wounds. One of the critically injured was later shifted to Peshawar.

Meanwhile, rival candidates finally had access to the Bazaar Zakhakhel area of NA-43 for canvassing after the region remained a ‘no-go’ area since the start of electioneering in the two constituencies of Khyber tribal district.

Local administration officials said supporters of at least three candidates, Mufti Ejaz of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, Noorul Haq Qadri of PTI and independent Haji Shahji Gul went to the region and met with local people in connection with their election campaigns.

These candidates had earlier complained to the returning officer about an undeclared ban on their entry to Bazaar Zakhakhel as they were not issued any security clearance.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2018