Dattakhel fighting between tribes worsens as toll climbs to 47

Most of the elders of the area, who could have helped brokered a ceasefire or settlement, have moved out

BANNU: Rivalry between two tribes in Dattakhel tehsil of North Waziristan Agency worsened on Saturday as they continued to exchange fire for a second day. The fighting has so far left at least 47 tribesmen dead and 25 other were injured.

Locals say that the tribes Madakhel and Paipalee Kabalkhel have disputed a part of a mountain between two in Lowara Mandai area of tehsil Dattakhel, North Waziristan for the last three years.

Several jirgas have intervened over the years to settle the issue, but have failed.

On Friday both the tribes started fighting each other deploying both light and heavy weapons.

A security source told AFP that the Mada Khel and Paipali Kabul Khel tribes of North Waziristan had been engaged in intense frighting since Friday to try to capture a mountain, which both groups claim.
"The fight in Laoaara Mandi village in Data Khel area has so far left 47 people dead and 25 others injured," the official said.
He added that the fight for occupation of the mountain is still ongoing.

Most of the elders of the area, who could have helped brokered a ceasefire or settlement between the two groups, have moved to settled areas of Pakistan or Afghanistan to escape the fighting.

Locals tried to shift the injured to Peshawar. However, according to a local source, the administration did not allow them to, prompting tribesmen to take their injured to Afghanistan.

Despite repeated attempts, no contact could be made with the political administration.

The area where the shootout took place is located near to Pakistan-Afghan border. It was also learnt that some families have recently left the area for Afghanistan owing to the fighting.