SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: A longstanding land dispute between two rival tribes turned violent on Fridayas a man was killed and two injured in an exchange of fire in Lower South Waziristan tribal district.

The incident occurred in the Ghundak area of Birmal tehsil, according to an official of the district administration. He said Sarkikhel and Jikhel-Darikhel tribesmen traded fire around midday on Friday.

Wana assistant commissioner Sayed Mehar Ali Shah said the injured were shifted to the district headquarters hospital. He said the district administration was making every effort to control the situation and prevent further violence.

Local sources said the two tribes had taken positions against each other for the last four days, while announcements were made from mosques, calling for an end to the hostilities.

They added that a large number of residents rushed to conflict zones in an attempt to mediate a ceasefire.

By late afternoon, they managed to halt the exchange of fire. However, fears remained that clashes could resume during the nighttime.

Local political activists expressed concern over the volatile situation.

Officials of the district administration said the Ghundak land dispute, which had been therefor several years, had caused multiple deadly clashes.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2025