Five killed, six injured in clashes in Pakistan

Five persons were killed and six injured in clashes between rival militant groups in Pakistan's Mohmand and Khyber tribal regions on Thursday.

Three persons were killed and two others sustained critical injuries in a shootout between the Pakistani Taliban and pro-government militants in the volatile Mohmand Agency, local officials said.

The incident occurred at Khwezai, 30 km from Ghalanai, the headquarters of Mohmand Agency. Taliban fighters clashed with pro-government militants led by Shah Saib after he refused to join the Taliban in attacking important installations.

A local Taliban commander was among those killed. The two groups also claimed to have taken more than 20 people hostage.

Two persons killed and four wounded in clashes between the supporters of Lashkar-e-Islam and Ansar-ul-Islam in the Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency.

Both groups used heavy weapons against each other's positions. More than 100 people have been killed in clashes in Tirah Valley over the past three weeks.