The authorities in Pakistan recently took action to stop the fighting between two tribal factions, involved in a blood feud, which was threatening the safety of the country's most important gas-field. The two factions of the Bugti tribe in the southern province of Baluchistan had been firing rockets, heavy machine-guns and automatic weapons at each other's positions right next to the gas plant and pipelines which supply the country with a vital source of energy. Fearing the catastrophic consequences of a direct hit, the authorities finally decided to intervene by moving one of the factions out of the area. Just before they were moved, one of our correspondents, Richard Galpin, visited the area to investigate:

"Everything OK buddy?" - it wasn't the kind of greeting I'd expected from the front-line commander of one of the factions involved in a vicious blood feud which has claimed dozens of lives. This was Haider Bugti, nephew of the tribal chieftain, the Nawab, who rules a sizeable chunk of this part of eastern Baluchistan with an iron-fist.

We had just arrived at his heavily-fortified headquarters in the remote industrial town of Sui - famed for its gas-field which produces two-thirds of the country's supply of natural gas. Millions of people in Pakistan depend on it for heating and cooking and it's a vital energy source for many industries. But Sui also has the misfortune to be the location of a conflict between the Nawab and a splinter group of the Bugti tribe, known as the Kalpar. The two sides have effectively been at war since the Nawab's son was shot dead in 1992, he was killed just a month after the son of the Kalpar leader was murdered during local elections. It's alleged the Kalpar were becoming a threat to the Nawab's rule. 30 year old Haider Bugti has been in command of operations here on behalf of the Nawab, for the past three years, ever since he came back to Pakistan from the United States. His wrap-round Rayban sunglasses and fading American accent a reminder of a happier and more peaceful period of his life.

The fighting with the rival faction, whose positions we could see from the watchtower, just a few hundred metres away, has at times been intense. The two sides have an array of weapons at their disposal including heavy machine-guns and rocket propelled grenades. Within range of all these are crucial parts of the Sui gas-field, including the pipelines which run overground through the town.

But for Haider Bugti there is only thing that matters, to avenge the murder of the Nawab's son. He said he wouldn't leave Sui until this feud was resolved - that in effect means finishing off the ring-leaders. To that end he's remained inside the compound for the past three years - not once has he stepped outside the fortified walls into the town.

Not surprisingly he seemed glad of some different people to talk to other than the dozens of armed men who patrolled the perimeter walls above us day and night. "This is where the Kalpar attacked us with rocket-propelled grenades," he said rather nervously as he gave us a guided-tour of his headquarters; "we've just had this special double concrete-wall built to improve the fortifications," he added.

There were other signs of the heavy clashes between the two sides - not least bullet holes through the main gate. Around another corner beside his collection of caged birds and a young reindeer, a gift from a friend, we saw the clearest indication of how serious the fighting had been. Some steep concrete steps led to an underground bunker protected by heavy steel doors, this was Haider Bugti's personal shelter. Inside two phones had been installed so he could stay in contact with the outside world. He told us he'd used the bunker several times in the past few months - sometimes staying inside for hours as the fighting raged above his head.

That evening after dinner he agreed to give us an interview. We waited in our rooms to be summoned and eventually were called by one of the many armed-guards posted inside the living-quarters who took us to his bedroom. We found Haider Bugti sitting in front of his television watching MTV - inside this inner sanctum he attempted to forget the reality of his situation. But it's clearly impossible for him to switch off completely, next to the hi-fi system, several automatic weapons and a large ammunition belt were propped up against the wall, and next to his pillow a machine-pistol with telescopic sights and two spare magazines.

The pressure had clearly taken its toll on him, he did not seem like a man cut out for this kind of role. His leg shook as he spoke to us and he talked rather obliquely of "disturbances of the mind." But he was determined to stay and fight. "It's my responsibility," he said, "I can't leave."

Just as we retired to get some sleep, he added, "The thing with tribal warfare is that it can break out at any time. It could be in the next few days, the next few weeks or even the next few minutes."
 

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