PARACHINAR/LADDHA, May 21: One person was killed and eight others were injured in exchange of fire between rival tribes in different areas of the troubled Kurram Agency.

Separately, two suspected militants were killed in a remote controlled blast at Teyarza area of South Waziristan tribal region on Saturday.

The clashes in Kurram broke out between the residents of Sadda and Balishkhel areas when a funeral ceremony was attacked on Friday. The residents of the area said that one person identified as Saqleen was killed and six others got injuries in the attack.

The residents of Balishkhel retaliated with heavy weapons. Local people said that militants, who had relocated to Kurram from Waziristan and other militancy-hit areas, were behind the clashes.

Reports said that tension mounted in upper Kurram after rockets were fired at Shalozan, Bughdai and Luqmankhel areas near the Afghan border. Two persons including a minor girl were injured in the rocket attack, which sparked clashes among the rival tribes.

Political administration said that ceasefire was brokered between the residents of Balishkhel and Sadda in lower Kurram on Saturday evening and rival groups had vacated their positions.

Corps Commander Lt-Gen Asif Yaseen Malik had told a joint jirga in Parachinar on Thursday that a military operation would be launched in the area. The tribal elders had welcomed the announcement and assured full support to army in this regard.

The residents of the areas said that outsiders and their local supporters planned the attack on the funeral as they wanted to divert attention of government. Supply of goods to the area has been suspended after fresh clashes and tension in the area.

Two suspected militants were killed in remote controlled blast at Teyarza area of South Waziristan tribal region on Saturday.

Security sources said that two suspected persons were planting a remote controlled along the Wana-Teyarza Road near Manzakai area when the bomb exploded prematurely.

“As a result the suspected persons identified as Ikhlas and Ghaniur Reham of Masud tribe were killed on the spot,” they said.

Security officials said the two men, having links with Taliban, were involved in sabotage activities. They were planting explosive to target the security convoys passing through the road, they said.

The Wana-Razamak Road is in the control of security forces and frequent movement of army convoys could be seen on it. The road has badly affected on various points by the last year's flash floods and lukewarm attitude of the government to repair it due to militancy in the region.

The census staff, who recently visited various areas by travelling via this road, said that except military vehicles no other vehicles could be able to ply on the road due to its dilapidated condition.