Eight killed in twin tribal dispute shootings in Balochistan’s areas

• Four die in Qila Abdullah attack as grieving families block Quetta–Chaman Highway in protest

• Another four killed in Dera Bugti clash after monetary dispute between relatives turns deadly

• Minor girl among injured; police, Levies launch hunt for suspects in both incidents

 QUETTA: At least eight people were killed and a minor girl injured in two separate firing incidents linked to tribal and family disputes in Balochistan's Qila Abdullah and Dera Bugti districts on Sunday, prompting protests, a temporary highway blockade and a police investigation, officials said.

According to police, four people were killed and a minor girl injured in a firing incident stemming from an old enmity in the Badwan area of Qila Abdullah district.

Qila Abdullah Deputy Commissioner Munawar Hussain Magsi confirmed the incident, identifying the deceased as Obaidullah, Ziaullah, Eimal and Mohammad Shahid, while the injured girl was identified as Bibi Saniya.

"All the bodies and the injured were shifted to the Trauma Centre Mazai Adda, where doctors confirmed the deaths," he said, adding that the injured girl was later referred to Quetta for further treatment.

After completion of medico-legal formalities, the bodies were handed over to their heirs.

The deputy commissioner said enraged family members later placed the bodies on the Quetta-Chaman National Highway and staged a protest sit-in, bringing traffic on the busy road to a standstill.

He said the district administration and police reached the site and held negotiations with the protesters.

"After lengthy talks, the protesters agreed to reopen the road for traffic," Magsi said.

The victims' relatives demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and strict punishment, while officials assured them that the case would be investigated on merit.

Local elders and political figures also condemned the incident and called for the immediate resolution of tribal disputes and better protection of civilians.

In a separate incident in the Drenjan area of Sui in Dera Bugti district, four people were killed and one person injured in a clash between relatives over a monetary dispute.

According to SP Zia Mandokhail, the dispute between members of the Peerozani tribe's Kohli branch escalated from a financial disagreement into an exchange of heavy gunfire, triggering panic in the area.

He said a father and his son were killed on one side, while two brothers from the rival side also lost their lives in the exchange of fire. The injured person was shifted to a nearby medical facility in critical condition.

Following the incident, law enforcement personnel reached the area and cordoned off the scene, while police and Levies launched operations to arrest those involved. However, no arrests had been made till the filing of this report.

Deputy Commissioner Dera Bugti and SP Zia Mandokhail took notice of the incident and sought a detailed report.