JACOBABAD — A violent mob set fire to more than 100 houses in the Gajanpur area of Jacobabad on Tuesday, reducing the dwellings to ash in a brutal reaction to a free-will marriage.
The unrest erupted after a man from the Sundrani tribe married a woman from the Jakhrani tribe. Despite the couple having legal sanction for their union, members of the woman’s tribe viewed the marriage as a violation of local tribal customs.
Armed men stormed the village, targeting homes belonging to the groom’s extended family and supporters. Witnesses described a scene of chaos as residents fled their houses, leaving behind belongings that were swiftly consumed by flames. Firefighters struggled to reach the area due to the remote location and the ongoing presence of armed groups.
Local police confirmed the destruction but faced immediate criticism for their delayed response. By the time law enforcement arrived in force, the mob had already retreated, leaving behind a trail of blackened debris and displaced families.
“We arrived to find the village in ruins,” said a senior police official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “The scale of the destruction is unprecedented for a dispute of this nature.”
The incident has triggered a broader security alert across the district. Heavy contingents of the police and rangers have been deployed to the area to prevent retaliatory strikes, as tribal elders from both sides have been summoned for emergency mediation.
For the families affected, the loss is total. Many have lost their winter grain stores, livestock, and official identification documents in the blaze.
While the provincial government has promised an inquiry into the failure to protect the village, history suggests these tribal feuds are difficult to contain. With the couple still in hiding, the tension in Jacobabad remains volatile, leaving thousands in the surrounding area fearing what the next phase of this tribal conflict might bring.
