KHAR, Sept 4: Two tribal elders were shot dead and two others, including a malik, were injured when a jirga was attacked in the Kohi area in Barang tehsil, 40 kilometres from here on Monday, officials said.

The jirga had resolved a land dispute between Malik Dil Mohammad and Malik Zar Zamin, but the former’s group had expressed deep reservations about the decision.

Local people told this correspondent that the jirga members were on their way to Malik Dil Mohammad’s house to try to persuade him to agree to the jirga’s solution but his men had opened fire on them, killing Malik Yar Mohammad and Malik Gul Wali on the spot. Malik Zar Zamin and a passer-by, Khurshid, were injured in the firing.

They said that Dil Mohammad’s men had taken Malik Zar Zamin hostage.

The political administration has sent a heavy contingent of Bajaur Levy Force to the area.

Political Tehsildar of Barang Mohammad Hashim Khan said that another tribal jirga had brokered a ceasefire between the two groups.