The hunting party of a Qatari royal was attacked in Pakistan by a group of armed villagers, leaving three security guards injured.
Officials confirmed the attack on Monday but have not revealed the identity of the royal family member. Pakistani officials have moved swiftly to address the incident.
"A case has been registered against 25 people," the district's deputy commissioner said, according to The National.
Apparently, the villagers were angered after being prevented from approaching the sheikh to ask for donations to build a local mosque. They proceeded to attack the hunting party with guns and knives.
The unnamed royal was on the expedition >to hunt the rare houbara bustard. Although the International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the species as "vulnerable", with a population of 50,000 to 100,000 left in the wild, the bird's meat is highly prized by Arab sheikhs.
Pakistan had actually prohibited the hunting of the bird, but lifted the ban last year. At the time, the government argued that the ban was hurting relations with Gulf countries.
While the houbara bustard once roamed the Arabian peninsula, it has nearly vanished, leading hunters to venture further from home in pursuit of the rare species.
An official said that Qatari hunters "apply and pay for government hunting permits and donate to local communities and wildlife conservation."
"Unfortunately there have been attacks led by armed groups," he said.
Wealthy Arab hunters come to Pakistan and other nearby countries to hunt. They often contribute significantly to developing infrastructure in order to maintain favor with the local populations. Roads, mosques and schools have all been built as a result.
Lavish gifts are also often given to local leaders, such as leaving behind the four-wheel-drive vehicles used in the hunt.
But these gifts don't always satisfy locals. Kidnappings and attacks have occurred in the past.
Critics also say that the hunting parties are further threatening an already endangered species. Some have also argued that the expeditions funnel money to areas dominated by rogue militias.