MARDAN: One person was killed and seven passersby were injured when rival groups traded fire in busy Khwaja Ganj Bazaar here on Saturday, locals and police officials said.

The incident led to closure of the bazaar and traffic jam for several hours. The shopkeepers held a demonstration against the police for reaching late at the crime scene.

The police’s preliminary investigation revealed that a dispute over ownership of shops was going on between the two groups, led by Anwar Khan and Arshid Manan.

The slain, belonging to the Anwar Khan group, was identified as Farman.

Hoti police lodged cross FIRs in the firing incident. The first was registered on the complaint of Sakandar, relative of the deceased, against Arshid Manan, Jehanzib, Iftikhar and Ahmad.

The second FIR was registered on the complaint of Arshid Manan against Sakandar, Asghar and the deceased along with their other unknown accomplice.

The police claimed to have arrested Manan and Asghar.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2021