LANDI KOTAL (Khyber Agency), March 3: A schoolgirl was killed and a minor boy was injured when armed men opened fire on a procession of schoolchildren in Bara on Friday.

The incident took place in Mandi Kas area when children in the procession in support of Mufti Munir Shakir started damaging public property. In retaliation some gunmen, believed to be supporters of Pir Saifur Rehman, opened fire on the procession.

Villagers are reported to have captured the gunmen.

In a similar incident, schoolchildren went on the rampage in Bara bazaar and damaged to a number of shops in the market. They also looted two shops.

Meanwhile, angry supporters of Mufti Munir Shakir attacked the office of Tanzim Ulema Bara Peace Committee on Friday and ransacked the premises.

Supporters of the Mufti also took out protest processions in several other localities of Bara and demanded that the Mufti be relocated in Bara before March 5. Mufti Munir Shakir was forced to leave Bara on Tuesday.

Area resident alleged that the local political administration had played the role of silent spectator during the looting and firing. The authorities made no efforts to prevent the students from damaging property, alleged some shopkeepers of Bara market.

Sources said the illegal FM radio of Mufti Munir Shakir was still functioning and relayed recorded sermons of the cleric.

In a sermon, he urged his supporters to carry on the protest.

Sources in Bara said that a resident of Shalobar, Wajahat Khan, had shot himself dead after an exchange of harsh words with his family members over the tussle between the supporters of Mufti Munir Shakir and Pir Saifur Rehman.