SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Four people were injured in a clash over the ownership of a potential gold reserves site in the Kaniguram tehsil here on Saturday.

Witnesses said that members of the Malakshahai and Nazarkhel, two sub-clans of the Mehsud tribe, clashed after tensions flared up over the ownership of a site believed to contain gold deposits.

Both sides claimed ownership of the area, which was supposed to have the gold deposits.

This caused disagreement among the tribesmen, leading to an exchange of harsh words.

The tribesmen started attacking each other using daggers and stones.

Police sources said that four people were injured in the clash.

Two of the injured were identified as Gulbadin Mehsud and Firdous Mehsud.

The injured were rushed to a nearby health facility in Kaniguram, from where they were referred to the District Headquarters Hospital, Wana.

Upper South Waziristan District Police Officer Arshad Khan said that policemen from Ladha and Makeen were sent to the area along with additional personnel from the Kaniguram post to calm down the situation.

He added that the situation was brought under control and cops were deployed to prevent the spread of violence.

He said legal action had been initiated against both parties involved in the incident.

The police said an investigation had been launched to identify those who were responsible for the disturbance.

Both parties were summoned to the Ladha police station for an inquiry into the incident.

Meanwhile, tribal elders intervened to resolve the issue.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026