ABBOTTABAD: Havelian tehsil chairman Atif Khan Jadoon and his nine companions, who were killed in a rocket and gun attack, were laid to rest in their respective villages here on Tuesday.

The funeral prayers of Atif Khan and his nephew Azhar were held at Basti Sher Khan that was largely attended by people from different walks of life including PTI leaders, former provincial ministers Yousaf Ayub Khan, Akbar Ayub Khan, Qalandar Khan Lodhi, former MNA Ali Khan Jadoon and others.

A nephew of Atif Khan nominated his rivals Tahir Javed, Shehr Yar, Abdullah Shiraz and Sajjad Zar Khan in the FIR. He said that his family had old enmity with the family of Haji Zar Khan, Aslam Zar Khan, Ejaz Zar Khan, Shiraz Khan, Tahir Javed and Sarbland.

Havelian police after registering FIR under section 302,148-149-109-7A//427 started search operation for the nominated people. DPO Umeer Tufail has deployed heavy contingent of police in Havelian and residential areas of both the rivals to avoid any other outward incident.

The bloody enmity between the two rival families started in early seventies. A local jirga was held twice to resolve the dispute.

There was peace between the rivals for about 15 years but the enmity was reignited. At least 20 to 30 persons from both sides had lost their lives due to the enmity.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2023