At least eight people were killed in a shooting near a wedding celebration in Dera Ismail Khan on Tuesday, according to police.
The incident occurred near a girls’ school in Malana village, within the limits of University Police Station. The victims were reportedly travelling to attend a wedding when gunfire erupted.
Initial police reports suggest the violence followed a confrontation between two groups after a volleyball match organised as part of the wedding festivities. The dispute reportedly escalated quickly and resulted in deadly firing.
Police said the two groups had a longstanding personal and political rivalry. Investigators are now examining whether the previous dispute directly triggered the shooting.
Six of the deceased were identified as Qudrat, Umar Farooq, Qaiser Fazal, Shafiq, Ajmal and Arsalan. The identities of two other victims were not immediately available.
The bodies and injured people were shifted to a nearby hospital after the shooting. Authorities did not immediately provide details about the condition or number of those wounded.
Police registered a case and started legal proceedings following the attack.
University Police have also launched a detailed investigation to determine the exact sequence of events and identify those responsible for the killings. Officers are expected to question witnesses and examine evidence from the scene.
The incident has shocked residents of the area, particularly because the violence occurred near a wedding event that had brought families and guests together.
Police have not yet announced any arrests in connection with the shooting.
Further details are expected as investigators continue their inquiry into the rivalry, the volleyball dispute and the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
