ZIARAT: At least two people lost their lives and five others suffered injuries during a violent clash between two rival tribes in Ziarat district of Balochistan on Sunday.
The deadly confrontation broke out between the Syedzai Sarangzai and Sanirzai Isa Khail tribes over a long-standing land dispute. According to officials and rescue workers, both sides used heavy weapons and exchanged continuous gunfire for almost six hours. The firing created panic among local residents, forcing many families to remain confined inside their homes.
Law enforcement agencies, including Levies and police, reached the scene after reports of heavy firing. Security forces intervened, enforced a ceasefire, and took control of the situation. Authorities sealed Ziarat town to prevent further violence and declared the area safe after the fighting stopped.
Medical teams and rescue workers shifted the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment. Hospital sources confirmed that several of the injured were in critical condition, raising fears of a possible increase in the death toll.
Tribal clashes over land and property disputes are a recurring problem in parts of Balochistan, where weak local governance and old enmities often escalate into armed violence. Security experts believe that such disputes not only threaten human lives but also disturb peace and stability in already fragile regions like Ziarat.
Officials said they had started efforts to mediate between the two rival groups in order to prevent the conflict from reigniting. Local elders and tribal leaders are also expected to play a role in reaching a settlement.
The incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for effective dispute resolution mechanisms in Balochistan. Without timely intervention and long-term strategies, land-related disputes could continue to fuel bloodshed and instability in the province.
