More than 100 people were killed and dozens injured Tuesday in clashes between militants and a pro-government militia in Pakistan's ungoverned tribal belt that borders Afghanistan, intelligence officials said. The fighting erupted in the Jandola area of South Waziristan tribal district when dozens of militants loyal to local Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud attacked followers of Turkistan Bittani, who allied with the government after defecting from the Taliban.
"It was a very well-organised attack and the militants fired with heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles," said an intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity. "According to the initial information, 70 people have died and many more are injured while Taliban also destroyed 35 houses," he added. All of those who died were from Bittani's militia.
Hours later when the government forces assisted Bittani's men with artillery fire and helicopter gunships, Taliban retreated. "Turkistan's people chased militants to Muzaffar Shah madrassa (Islamic seminary) and killed 30 who were hiding there," said a second intelligence official. "Turkistan also lost 10 men, he added.