Two tribes clash over Khost mountains

KHOST (PAN): A clash erupted between two tribes over the control of mountains in   southeastern Khost province on Monday.

The violent clash took place between Mangal tribe from the Musa Khel district and the Muqbil tribe of Nadir Shahkot, a local police officer told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Jamal Zardan said both sides used heavy weapons and several houses of the Muqbil tribe were torched by Mangal people.

He added they had dispatched a police force to the area to control the situation. However, he did not say anything about casualties.

Musa Khel district chief, Zar Mueed Mukhlis, acknowledged that a gunbattle erupted between the tribes. But he had no more information.

Wali Gul, a tribal elder from the Muqbil tribe, said their village had been cordoned off and several houses set ablaze. He asked the government to stop the dispute immediately to prevent bloodshed.

Another tribal elder, Gulab Mangal, said one of their tribes fighter was killed in the fire exchange. He insisted they had not set afire Muqbil tribe’s houses.

Police official Shafi said the governor and security personnel had held an urgent meeting to resolve the issue.

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