16 more killed over water dispute following military involvement in NW Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Sept.19 (Xinhua) -- At least 16 people were killed and many others injured on Sunday when Pakistani army helicopters pounded the hideouts of two armed tribes fighting each other over water dispute in the country's northwest tribal area of Kurram Agency, reported local media.

According to the report, the Pakistani army personnel first warned both tribes to stop the fight which has left 13 people killed and 16 others injured since it broke out Saturday night. But both tribes have defied the warning and the military had no choice but resorted to arms.

The military gunships shelled the hideouts of the two armed tribes in the afore-mentioned area, causing a heavy casualty among both sides, said the report.

The clashes between the Mangal and Bangash tribes over the water dispute have lasted for weeks. So far a total of 131 people have been killed and nearly 200 others injured in the week-long clashes,said the report, adding that dozens of houses in both tribes have also been burnt to ashes in the clashes.