Internal differences: Four prisoners injured in TTP, LI clash

TTP militants reportedly blame the search operation on phone calls made by LI inmates.

PESHAWAR: Four prisoners were reportedly injured in a clash between Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) prisoners inside Central Jail Peshawar on Sunday evening.

TTP militants reportedly argued with LI men, blaming the recent search operation conducted by security forces, which lasted for two days and one night, on ‘phone calls’ made by them (LI). The verbal dispute, however, turned into a fight between the two groups, forcing the jail police to baton charge the two groups to separate them.

“Four TTP men were injured in the fighting, as they were completely outnumbered by the LI prisoners, but the situation is under control now,” said a jail official while talking to The Express Tribune. He said both groups were being kept in separate barracks, as there were around 50 TTP men and 200 LI men currently in confinement.

A contingent of Pakistan Army was dispatched to the jail, which entered the building and cordoned off the area. Home Secretary Akhtar Ali Shah, IGP Prisons and other police officials also reached the spot and inspected the security arrangements of the complex.

While talking to the media, Deputy Commissioner Zaheerul Islam said the situation was completely under control of the jail administration and security forces. He claimed the reports about the four prisoners injured in the fighting were incorrect.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2014.