August 17, 2007	Friday	Sha’aban 3, 1428

LANDI KOTAL (Khyber Agency), Aug 16: Renewed clashes between two religious groups in Tirah have claimed two lives while 14 others have been injured, according to sources.

Sporadic clashes between the group of Haji Namdar and Ansarul Islam are continuing for the past several days in the Sanda Paal and Qambarkhel areas of the Tirah valley, near the Afghan border.

Sources said that Haji Namdar’s group, backed by Lashkar-i-Islam, launched an attack to capture the Sanda Paal hill, a strategic position in the area.

Supporters of Haji Namdar group claimed having captured the Landawar bunker in the Shalobar-Qambarkhel area and they were closing in on Sanda Paal hill, while their rivals claimed to have repulsed the attack. Sources said that both sides were using heavy weapons.

Each side confirmed losing a man in fresh fighting. A Lashkar spokesman Nadeem Shah told Dawn by phone that 14 of their supporters had been injured in the clashes.