KURRAM: Clashes broke out between rival tribes over a dispute on the ownership of local forest in the upper subdivision of Kurram tribal district on Saturday, which claimed lives of four people while seven others were wounded.

District Police Officer Tahir Iqbal said that the dispute over the forest triggered clashes between the residents of Teri Mengal and Piwar, some 20 kilometres northwest of Parachinar. Locals said that villagers of Piwar were harvesting firewood in the forest when the rival group opened firing on them.

According to report, both sides resorted to use of heavy weapons and targeted each others’ positions with rockets and heavy guns.

Local sources confirmed the death of four persons in the clashes. Contingents of police and paramilitary forces were dispatched to the affected areas to hold ceasefire. However, the clashes continued unabated.

The disturbance has forced local transporters to take vehicles off Thall-Parachinar Road. Officials said that efforts were under way to stop the clashes.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2021