Logar tribal clash claims 7 lives

PUL-I-ALAM (PAN): Seven people were killed and two others wounded during a clash between two tribes over the ownership of a mountain in Azra district of central Logar province, officials said on Friday.

Members of Janikhel and Chautarkhel tribes — both claiming the mountain’s ownership — have been trading gunfire since last night, the provincial council chief, Dr. Abdul Wali, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

A Taliban commander from the Janikhel tribe and his supporters were also fighting against the Chautarkhel, he alleged, saying security personnel were yet to reach the site. However, Wali added other tribes were trying to secure a ceasefire.

District police commander Col. Bakhtiar Ashraf confirmed the casualties and said security officials had been able to collect two bodies from the mountain. Police were trying to transfer the injured and corpses to hospital, he added.

But resident Jan Agha said security forces had not yet arrived in the area, where the fighting was still ongoing. He urged the government to intervene to prevent more casualties, because the militants were aiding one party.

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