Two killed in armed clash between clans

At least two people were killed and two other injured in armed clashes between the two clans in Karkana area of South Waziristan tribal district of K-P.

Official sources told The Express Tribune that two people have been killed in which one was from each clan and two others were critically injured.

Local residents told The Express Tribune that the fighting continued all night long between the two warring clans of Dotani and Zali Khel in which both the sides targeted each other positions with large and small weapons openly.

“Hundreds of them have taken positions against each other for the control of Karkana area which is a disputed territory between them,” said a local resident, adding that on both the sides several people have been made hostage too.

Several houses were also set ablaze in Sharkanai area.

“No one can go near the disputed sites due to firing but the news reaching us suggests that Zali Khel group overrun several fortified positions of the rival Dotani group in which six people were taken hostage,” claimed locals, adding that the police and local administration had also turned a blind eye towards the whole situation which had further encouraged the two factions and it was resulting in the loss of men and material on both sides.

“We don’t understand the attitude of the local police and district administration. What are they waiting for? Both these groups should be disengaged immediately. No one should be allowed to take law into their own hands. We are now living in settled district,” a local elder told The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity.

“No one dare go near these two groups because they are well armed and have vast fighting experience too. They are more than a match for the local police. But it is also a fact that fighting government is not possible even for the powerful tribes that is why police should ask for more men from outside district and end this tussle,” he said, adding that the clash was of very large scale between the two clans which had not been seen in the past.

It is worth mentioning here that suddenly land disputes are arising between individuals and clans across most of the seven tribal districts of former Fata due to the merger.

“In the former Fata there was no land settlement. There was no record which could prove the ownership. Now the government has decided to carry out the settlement on which everyone is trying to claims as much land as possible. Dozens are killed each year due to this,” said the elder.

On the other hand local administration has formed a Jirga to discuss ceasefire with both the parties and bring them to negotiation.

A local Jirga of Ahmad Zai Wazir was also dispatched to the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2021.