Five killed in Nowshera gunfight over illegal gold mining

PESHAWAR: At least five people were killed and several others were injured after three rival groups exchanged heavy gunfire in the Nizampur area of Akora Khattak circle in Nowshera district on Monday, according to initial reports.

The clash was reported to have broken out over alleged illegal gold mining in the area. The exchange of fire continued for hours, causing fear among local residents, who remained inside their homes as the shooting went on.

Initial reports said four members of one group and one young man from another group were killed in the prolonged firing. The deceased were identified in the report as including Mehran, a resident of Jabbi Mandori, who was killed on the spot along with four people belonging to a rival faction.

Residents shifted the bodies to District Headquarters Hospital and Qazi Hussain Ahmad Complex Hospital for medico-legal formalities.

Police have registered cases against two groups allegedly involved in illegal gold extraction, led by Ataullah and Saddam.

However, when contacted, the Circle Police Officer Akora Khattak and the SHO of Nizampur said they were unaware of the details of the casualties and the precise circumstances surrounding the incident.

Eyewitnesses said the sudden confrontation among the three groups led to indiscriminate firing for a considerable period, creating panic across the area.

Fear spreads in the area

The prolonged gun battle spread alarm in Nizampur and nearby localities, with residents staying indoors as the firing continued. Eyewitness accounts described the situation as one of intense fear as shots were fired for several hours.

The incident has drawn attention to the issue of alleged illegal mining activity in the region, which initial reports linked directly to the dispute between the armed groups.

No further official details about the number of injured were available in the initial report, which said only that an unknown number of people had been wounded in the clash.

The incident took place in the Nizampur area of Akora Khattak circle, a locality in Nowshera district, where the exchange of fire between the rival groups turned into a deadly confrontation.