PESHAWAR, April 23: Six people were killed and two others injured in a shootout between two groups during a jirga in the Atozai village of the Palosi area on Sunday.

The two groups were discussing to resolve a dispute between Asadullah and Saeedul Ibrar on Saturday night, police officials and local residents said.

Witnesses alleged that Saeedul Ibrar was behaving in an improper manner while standing near Asadullah’s home when the latter came out and to stop him from behaving like that. Saeed pulled out a pistol and tried to beat up Asadullah, they said.

Asadullah on Sunday morning went to Mohammad Salif alias Kakanay, Saeed’s father-in-law and complained about the incident. Mohammad Salif invited other relatives and villagers for a jirga to resolve the issue. But Saeed tried to beat up Asadullah during the discussion, police officials said.

Asadullah’s relatives drew firearms and opened fire on Saeed and their relatives. Saeed’s family returned fire. Eight people were injured in the shootout and two of them were passers-by. The injured were taken to the Khyber Teaching Hospital, where six of them succumbed to their injuries.