LANDI KOTAL, Aug 5: Sultankhel tribesmen blocked the Peshawar-Torkham highway near Takia Sultankhel for 10 hours here on Sunday in protest against what they termed illegal occupation of their property by some people along the Ring Road in Peshawar.

The blockade forced commuters, including women and children, to travel five to six kilometres on foot to switch vehicles.

Attaullah and Fareedullah of the Sultankhel tribe alleged that Jandad and Zahir, who were from Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency, had illegally occupied their property.

They said that a scuffle between the two families took place, adding that they had reported the matter to the police in Peshawar. The police, however, they did not take any action.

By about 3pm, the administration had almost convinced the protesters to end their blockade. However, ensuing firing in the air thwarted their efforts to do so.

Protesters urged the political administration to help them get back their property from the alleged occupants.