QUETTA, Feb 15: Two tribesmen were killed in an armed clash on Friday between Hameedzai and Ghabizai— two clans of Achakzai Tribe— in Gulistan area, 80 km north-west from here.

Both clans used heavy weapons including rockets and heavy machine guns against each other, official sources said.

They said the tribesmen, killed in the gun battle, belonged to Hameedzai clan. They were identified as Abdul Manan and Mullah.

The firing started in the morning, and continued through out the day. Armed men of the both clans had taken positions on top of hills and in trenches.

“ Firing and explosions remained continue till late night,” some of the locals told newsmen by telephone.

Hameedzai and Ghabizai have been fighting against each other for the last 12 years after the murder of Mohammad Khan Ghabizai, who was shot dead by unknown armed men near Gulistan when he was on his way home along with his two sons.

The sources said that after the clash both groups blocked Quetta-Chaman National Highway, and suspended all kind of traffic on the main road. But, later in the evening traffic was restored.