7 killed as rivals clash in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: In a gory incident, seven persons including a man and his two sons were killed in a clash over a petty issue in Pakha Ghulam village on Dilazak Road here on Wednesday.

Those killed in the exchange of fire between the two groups also included two real brothers, police officials said. “Three persons died from one side while four were killed from the rival group. The clash occurred over passing an electricity line through the disputed spot,” Superintendent of Police (SP) Rural, Shakirullah Bangash told reporters.

Police officials said one Khan Afsar and his men had developed a dispute with Riaz, a superintendent in Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco), over installation of electricity pole near their house and passing the main power line through the area. The two parties had also clashed over the issue a few days ago, the cops added.

“The two groups exchanged harsh words again on Wednesday and then both the parties resorted to the use of weapons against each other,” said a resident of the area. He said Riaz and his two sons Amir and Shiraz from one side and Khan Afsar, his brother Sifat, gunman Noor Mohammad and another person Asif from the other side were killed in the clash.

The brothers of one of the deceased had been charged in a triple murder case on the Ring Road several months back. Police said they have started conducting raids to arrest the other accused in the incident.