44 killed in armed clashes over land dispute in Pakistan

At least 44 people were killed and 177 others injured in armed clashes between two groups during the last six days in Kurram district of Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, reported Xinhua, quoting a hospital official on Monday.

Medical Superintendent of the Kurram District Head­quarters Hospital Mir Hassan Jan told Xinhua that the death toll might further rise as several of the injured are in critical condition.

An official from the local police said that the clashes started between two groups over a land dispute in which both sides had been using small and heavy weapons, including automatic guns, rockets, mortars, and small-range missiles.

"The land dispute between two tribes named Malikhel and Mangal of Madaki Kali triggered in Boshehra village leading to deadly clashes which gradually spread over to the whole Kurram district," said the police official.

According to media reports, local administration and tribal elders tried to convince both sides to sit for talks but all attempts had failed for a peace deal.

Schools and other educational institutions have closed for an indefinite period, and people's daily lives are also affected.