SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Tensions ran high over a longstanding land dispute between the Sperkai and Khujalkhel tribes, prompting the police and the district administration to intervene.
The development came after the two tribes reportedly took positions at their respective bunkers when tensions gripped the area over the long-running dispute.
Police and the district administration officials intervened and had the bunkers vacated in an effort to prevent the situation from escalating.
DSP Wana circle Asghar Ali Shah told Dawn by phone that both sides had been given two days to maintain peace and avoid any confrontation.
He said 10 elders from each tribe were summoned to the deputy commissioner’s office in Wana on Monday (today) for negotiations to find a solution to the dispute through dialogue.
“The situation is currently under control and peaceful due to the joint efforts of the police and district administration,” Mr Shah said.
A police official said one of the bunkers was located at Kani Raghzai Sanga, close to an FC fort. In view of security concerns, the relevant FC authorities had been requested to keep the area under surveillance to prevent any possible untoward incident.
The administration and police have also urged the two sides to exercise restraint until the talks and avoid any action that could further aggravate tensions.
The Sperkai and Khujalkhel tribes have a longstanding land dispute that has remained unresolved.