At least five more militants were killed on Thursday amidst bloody clashes between two rival banned outfits, raising the death toll to 97.
According to details, at least five suspected militants have been killed in deadly clashes between the Tirah-based banned organisation Ansarul Islam (AI) and banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The clashes erupted last week. During the conflict, as many as 5 militants were killed, raising the toll to 97 in the past six days. Due to the volatile situation, thousands of families have been displaced. Sources said the clashes erupted between the two militant organisations early last Friday when dozens of TTP militants armed with mortars and rockets launched an attack on the positions of the AI west and north of Maidan from Arghenjo in Orakzai Agency and Kukikhel area in Tirah valley.
Furthermore, sources revealed that after a brief fight, the TTP captured three hilltops from the Kukikhel side, namely Kalawooch, Angori Sar and Drey Stani, and two positions from the Arghenjo side named Qismat Sangar and Sengakh Sar in the AI-controlled part of the valley.
Soon after the attack by the TTP, the head of the AI Qazi Mehboob informed his supporters through his FM broadcast about the situation and asked them to rush towards the losing positions to retake them from the enemy. Subsequently, hundreds of armed volunteers and local tribesmen assembled in Bagh, the AI headquarters, and marched towards the west and north and launched an attack on the TTP occupying positions on their area called Maidan. After an eight-hour-long fight, the AI recaptured Stani Sar, Kalawooch, Angori Sar and Qismat Sangar, the sources said. However, the AI failed to recapture Sengakh Sar bordering Orakzai Agency. Sengakh Sar is currently under siege.
