Nine killed in separate tribal violence incidents in Balochistan

QUETTA: Nine people were killed in two separate incidents of tribal violence in Balochistan on Sunday, with five deaths reported in Qila Abdullah and four in Dera Bugti.

In Qila Abdullah, a senior police official said a group of armed men entered the Killi Badawan area and opened fire on their rivals. Four tribesmen died at the scene after suffering multiple bullet wounds, while a young girl later died of her injuries after being taken to Quetta for treatment.

The official said the attackers also fired hundreds of rounds into the air before leaving the area. Police said the assault was linked to an old feud, adding that members of the affected side had previously killed six people from the attackers’ side. One of the assailants was quoted at the scene as saying: "We have taken revenge today."

After the attack, members of the affected tribe placed the bodies on the Quetta-Chaman highway and staged a protest, demanding the arrest of those responsible. Qila Abdullah Deputy Commissioner Manzoor Magsi and the assistant commissioner later held talks with the protesters, after which the road was reopened several hours later.

Clash in Dera Bugti

In a separate incident in Dera Bugti, two rival factions of the Bugti clan exchanged fire over a marriage proposal, officials said. A senior police officer said armed men from both sides took positions with automatic weapons and opened fire on each other.

"Armed men of both groups took position with automatic weapons and opened fire against each other," the officer said.

Four people were killed in the clash and one other person was injured. The wounded person was shifted to the district hospital for treatment.

Law enforcement personnel were deployed in strength in the area to prevent any further escalation following the clash.