Situation is tense in inaccessible Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency where six people were killed and four injured late on Wednesday night after Taliban factions clashed in the area. Reports from Tirah Valley reveal that Pakistani and Afghan Taliban fought a gunbattle at Marjan Kelley. Both the groups used heavy weapons in a battle which lasted for over two hours. However, they agreed to a ceasefire after some local tribesmen intervened. It is said that the Afghan Taliban have shifted seven personnel of Afghan security forces into the tribal belt. However, the abducted persons remained safe. According to sources, the rival militants are camping in their hideouts and compounds while some tribal elders are making hectic efforts for reconciliation.
The Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency has become a shelter stronghold of foreign and Taliban extremists after they managed to dodge the military in operations conducted in other parts of FATA.
Moreover, local militants affiliated with banned Lashkar-e-Islam and Lashkar-e-Ansar are also engaged in a war for a sphere of influence in the region.
