Minor girl among five killed in Frontier Region violence

Peace Lashkar said it was a militant attack, while police say two tribes fought due to personal enmity.

PESHAWAR: At least five people, including a minor girl were killed while three others were injured in an exchange of fire between two groups in Sra Dargai, Frontier region, Peshawar.

The reason behind the exchange of fire remains as yet unclear, The Express Tribune though is attempting to ascertain the cause.

A member of the Adezai Peace Lashkar talking to The Express Tribune termed it as a "militant attack", while Deputy Superintendant Police (DSP) Sajjad maintained that the incident was bred out of "personal enmity."

According to reports, heavy arms were used in the exchange of fire.

The Peace Lashkar member claimed that six people were killed and four others were injured in the attack .

The area has been badly hit by militancy and personal disputes in the past. The Lashkar, which is supposed to maintain peace in the area is also split between two tribes.

Police officials from the area said that the firing had lasted for almost two hours. "There was an explosion from one of the houses which had been targeted, however it is not known what caused the casualties," officials said.

Two of those injured in the attack, Said Kareem and Hazrat Umar, had been brought to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar.

Speaking to The Express Tribune Said Kareem said that the house belonged to his Uncle, Said Wazeer. "We heard three explosions, one after another simultaneously," he said. "I lost my father," he cried.

Saida Khan, father of Hazrat Umar, claimed that five people had been killed in the incident including a minor girl. Saida Khan further claimed that their assailants had links with militants. "There were about 50 men that attacked us," he claimed.

The Sra Dargai area is located in the Frontier Region (FR) Peshawar, a buffer zone between the settled and the tribal area.