File Photo. Asif Hassan—AFP
Seven militiamen injured in fighting.
Taliban insurgents on Saturday clashed with a government-backed tribal militia in Khyber Agency, killing five militants, said officials.
The incident occurred in the Speena Danda area of Khyber, part of Pakistan’s wild tribal belt where Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked militants have carved out strongholds. “Five Taliban were killed and seven anti-Taliban militia members received injuries in a clash with Pakistani Taliban and their supporters,” said a local administration official, requesting anonymity. Intelligence officials confirmed the incident and causalities.
Peace committees comprising local tribesmen support anti-Taliban efforts of the regional government. There are a number of government-backed groups in the tribal belt that have taken up arms against the Pakistani Taliban.