BANNU: Three people, including a police official, were killed, while another was injured when two armed rival groups clashed with each other on Sunday in Nariwa Patol Khel in Bannu.
The Domail police said Hazratullah, a member of the force, and his accomplices clashed with Muhammad Ali and his men following a dispute over land. The two groups came face-to-face on Sunday and the confrontation resulted in a shoot-out, said the police.
An official said Hazratullah was hit by bullets and died on the spot, while his accomplice Muhammad Nawaz suffered injuries. Meanwhile, Khalid Khan and his father Nowsherwan, from the opposing group, also died in the exchange of fire.
Both groups filed FIRs against each other and an investigation is under way.
K-P Chief Minister Pervez Khattak took strong exception to the armed clash and ordered an immediate enquiry. He asked the Bannu administration and police to reach the spot and defuse tensions.
Stressing on the “sensitivity” of the district, Khattak said apart from hosting the bulk of people displaced by Operation Zarb-e-Azb, the administration also needs to focus on law and order. He said there was a hint of lethargy in the manner in which authorities handled this armed clash.
It is imperative for Bannu authorities to shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding the lives and property of locals and the people displaced from North Waziristan. He said his government has taken notice of all such ugly incidents in sensitive districts.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 25th, 2014.
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