UPPER DIR, Sept 18: Ten persons were killed and two injured in exchange of fire triggered by a land dispute between two rival groups in the remote Jonekas Barikot area of Upper Dir on Sunday, police and locals said.

Akbar Zaman and Mohammad Nageen had a dispute on land and a house for sometimes, which led to the bloodshed, police said.

Zaman's men, according to police, opened fire on the tenant of Nageen and killed two persons who were identified as Hafeezur Rahman and his mother. This incident prompted Nageen and his relatives to retaliate, which led to exchange of fire.

The gunfight resulted in the killing of nine more people, three from Nageen's side and five from Zaman's group.

The slain people were identified as Mohammad Nabi, Fateh Rahman and an unnamed nephew of Nageen from Nageen side, and Faqir Zada, Sher Zada, Amir Islam, Gul Zarif and Nek Mohammad from the Zaman group.

Barikot, which is located in the remote Kohistan area of the district, falls under the jurisdiction of Kalkot police station.

Police rushed to the area and controlled the volatile situation. The two injured have been shifted to hospital.

The incident caused tension and sorrow in the area.