DERA GHAZI KHAN, Nov 11: Two people were reportedly injured in a gunbattle between the Leghari and Khosa tribes over a girl of Khosa tribe allegedly abducted some three months ago in the limits of Lakha border military police station, some 45kms from here.

Both the tribes have been living at the border line of Tuman Leghari and Khosa since long.

Sami Sundhani Khosa (19) of Jaidi Gharbi (western) was forcibly married with a disable person. She was allegedly 'abducted' by some people with the connivance of Sumailani Legharis of Jaidi Sharqi (eastern).

Following the footsteps next day, the Khosa men led by the girl's uncle reached the house where the girl was 'hiding'. The Khosa tribesmen demanded that the girl should be handed over to them otherwise they would fight for her retrieval.

Sources claimed that three BMP officials of the Leghari tribe - Aslam , Hassan Sumailani and Baqir - on behalf of area Jamadar Ejaz Leghari and Dafadar Gahna Khan assured the Khosas that the girl would be returned to them within a month, but they failed to keep their promise.

It may be mentioned that a case was registered against the culprits on the directive of a local court, but no arrest or recovery was made by the BMP. Due to alleged negligence of BMP officials concerned, the situation became volatile.

On Thursday, the Khosa tribesmen laid a siege to Jaid Sharqi in revenge. In their response, the Leghari tribesmen of Jaidi Sharqi opened fire to break the siege. Dozens of men of both the tribes are joining the gunbattle which has been continuing for around seven hours.

When contacted, Ikramullah, the political assistant of DG Khan tehsil tribal area, said that elders of both the tribes had been sent with necessary contingents of BMP force to settle the dispute.