Clashes between outlawed militant groups in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency escalated on Tuesday as the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants set ablaze houses of at least 10 civilians, accusing them of being supporters of the rival Ansarul Islam (AI) group. Locals and the eyewitnesses confirmed the burning of the houses in Tirah Valley, while other reports say at least 20 militants from both sides also died in fresh clashes.
Meanwhile, hundreds of tribal families have fled to Afghanistan owing to excessive artillery shelling by the security forces and aerial bombing in parts of the valley. Officials confirmed that fresh clashes have escalated in Maidan area of Tirah Valley though they were uncertain about the exact number of casualties.
Ansarul Islam spokesman Sadaat Afridi claimed the group has lost four fighters while three others were injured in the ensuing gun-battles still continuing in the flashpoint valley. "We have killed more than 13 TTP fighters as their attack on the civilian houses was repulsed in Maidan Bar Bagh area," he said. Sadaat claimed the rival TTP militants started targeting the civilian population after losing ground in the battles, and have so far set ablaze more than 10 houses.