LOWER DIR: A woman has been killed and educational institutions remained closed during an armed clash between rival groups, which erupted over a land dispute in Nihag Darra area here five days back, residents said.

They told Dawn that firing, which erupted on Sept 27 between groups from Karpat and Sersi villages, had spread fear and insecurity across the surrounding localities.

They said government schools and seminaries in the affected area remained closed due to hostilities. A woman, identified as the wife of Tor Khan of Karpat village, was killed on Thursday after being struck by a stray bullet during the exchange of fire, residents said.

They expressed concern over what they described as the administration’s failure to bring the situation under control despite the prolonged violence.

Residents flay admin for failing to ensure ceasefire

Meanwhile, elders from the Shalga, Karbadi and Jagam areas have launched efforts to broker a ceasefire. The jirga members have initiated contact with both sides and are holding negotiations to end the clashes and prevent further loss of life.

Residents urged the district administration and police to take immediate steps to restore peace and ensure people’s safety.

MAN GETS LIFE: A court on Friday sentenced a man to 16 years in prison and fined him over Rs3 million after convicting him of assaulting and blackmailing a minor boy.

According to police, the case was registered at the Mayar police station. Investigating officer Hayat Mohammad Khan presented evidence before the court.

Based on the evidence, the Samarbagh Additional Sessions Judge convicted Suleman, a resident of Gulbahar Colony, Mayar, and sentenced him to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment, with a fine of Rs3 million.

The court also awarded him an additional two-year prison term and imposed a fine of Rs10,000 under the Child Protection Act, bringing the total sentence to 16 years and the total fine to Rs3.01 million.

BODY RECOVERED: Police on Friday recovered the body of an unidentified youth near Gor Nagotal in the Maidan tehsil, officials said.

After receiving information about the incident, a Rescue 1122 team and police personnel reached the site and shifted the body to the Lal Qila Hospital for a post-mortem.

Police said the deceased could not be identified.

Police appealed to the public to contact Zaimdara police station if anyone had information about the deceased and his relatives.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026