BATTAGRAM: Four people were killed and five others injured when rival groups clashed over a land dispute in Cham Saidan area of the Battagram district on Saturday.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred shortly after morning prayers.

They said some people emerged from a mosque when they heard the sound of a saw machine. When they went to check it, they found their rivals cutting trees in a disputed land. As they approached their rivals, an exchange of fire ensued, which resulted in the killing of four people.

The deceased included three members of a family – Shahzada, his son Ziaullah Shah, and his brother Muzrib Shah. The fourth deceased – Anwar Ali Shah – was from the rival group, the police said.

The five injured were transported to the District Headquarters Hospital, where doctors referred the seriously injured people to Ayub Medical Complex, Abbottabad.

An FIR was registered at the Kuzabanda police station under sections 302, 324, 148, and 149 of Pakistan Penal Code.

The FIR, filed by Shahzada’s son Habibullah, named 14 individuals from the rival group. After registering the case, the police started an investigation.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2025