Clashes between rival militant groups continued on the fourth consecutive day on Monday as the number of casualties reached 80. Though the rival groups are making conflicting claims regarding inflicting human and logistic losses to each other, there are no authenticated reports as the media had no access in the area. Different tribal sources told Pakistan Today on Monday that the clashes erupted between the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Darra Adam Khel chapter and the banned Ansarul Islam on Friday. The TTP is making attempts to occupy important positions and hilltops in the area. According to tribal sources, fierce fighting was going on at Doha Patyee Maidan. So far 10 militants from both sides had been killed in the latest round of fighting. Reports from the far-flung and snow-covered Tirah Valley reveal that local tribesmen belonging to various clans of the Afridi tribe were supporting Ansarul Islam in its war against the TTP. Ansarul Islam chief Qazi Mehboob had also approached his rival Mangal Bagh of the banned Lashkar-e-Islam. However, there was no information about what Mangal Bagh’s response was. The tribesmen said due to the clashes in the area, a large number of tribesmen were abandoning their houses and shifting to other areas. Majority of the tribesmen from these particular mountainous regions have already shifted to Peshawar and its surrounding areas. Meanwhile, security forces targeted the hideouts of militants in Masoozai area in Upper Orakzai on Monday. Officials said 10 militants had been killed and several dins had been destroyed.
