QUETTA, April 18: Tension was mounting in Gulistan area of Qila Abdullah district after a heavy exchange of fire between tribesmen and personnel of Frontier Corps in Killi Habibzai on Friday during an operation launched by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) for destroying poppy crop.

Ghabizai tribesmen took position on the mountain tops with heavy weapons after failure of negotiations between their elders, district administration officials and the ANF.

They opened fire when ANF and Frontier Corps troops reached the area to continue the destruction of poppy, which was ready for harvesting. The Frontier Corps and ANF personnel returned the fire.

“The exchange of fire continued throughout the day with brief intervals,” sources told Dawn.

The tribesmen claimed that two persons were injured in the firing.

Sources said that in view of the tense situation in the area, the district administration had sought deployment of more Frontier Corps personnel for the operation.

“We destroyed poppy crop cultivated over 104 acres on Friday despite the firing,” ANF officials said and added that so far over 300 acres had been cleaned up.

Balochistan ANF Regional Director Brig Liaquat Ali Toor said the resisting tribesmen were demanding compensation of their crop, which was related to the government.

He informed newsmen that the ANF had also destroyed poppy in Munoghar area of Kalat district and similar operations would be launched in Barkhan, Kalat, Turbat and Panjgur areas.

Balochistan Home Minister Sardar Sanaullah Zehri has warned that the crop would be destroyed and the government would not succumb to pressure.