PARACHINAR: Two tribal elders were killed and five others suffered injuries when two groups of tribesmen opened fire on each other during a jirga in the Taghoe area of Central Kurram agency on Saturday.

According to officials of the political administration, the jirga was convened to settle a land dispute between the two groups of tribesmen. The rival groups lost their temper while presenting arguments during the jirga proceedings and opened fire on each other.

Two jirga members, Malik Haji Khyal Ali Sherzai and Malik Arbab Khonikhel, were killed in the exchange of fire and five others, including jirga members Waris Khan and Payo Gul, were injured. The injured were shifted to the Sadda hospital where doctors described the condition of two of them as precarious.

The political administration has registered a case and launched an investigation.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2017