KOHAT, June 6: Rigid positions taken by the two factions of the banned Jaish-i-Muhammad militant outfit on gaining control of the mosques and seminaries in Kohat, reportedly threaten to burst into open violence.

Sources close to the group led by Maulana Masood Azhar say the Maulana has told the members of the group of Muhammad Asif, who was killed few months ago by his rivals, that they ceased the right to control the mosques and seminaries in Tappi area on Rawalpindi Road when they broke away from the parent organisation.

Members of Masood Azhar group were trying to gain control of Masjid-i-Ibne Masood also, which has also a seminary near Kohat springs and Masjid Khalid bin Walid in College Town, according to the sources.

They said that the dispute over ownership of Masjid-i-Shuhada in Tappi area that could lead the two groups to clashes.

It is important to recall that Mohammad Asif along with his 40 colleagues had distanced himself from the organisation five months ago but retained control over the said mosques and seminaries.

The other group, led by Bakht Mohammad, alleged that Asif didn't resign but he was removed him from his post after he was found involved in embezzlement of funds.

Asif had set up a library Darul Iman, which sold all sorts of books at 50 per cent discount, after distancing himself from all activities of the organisation. He and his companions had alleged that the organisation changed its policy and used its members in controversial issues.

A jirga was also held on Saturday to resolve the issue. About 200 armed men of Maulana Masood Azhar group and two members of Asif group attended the jirga.

About 300 local people were also present on the occasion. But the matter could not be resolved owing to rigid stance of the group leaders. On Sunday, the members of Masood Azhar group organised a meeting at Masjid-i-Shuhada but Asif group asked them to leave the place. Sources feared fierce fighting between the groups.