PESHAWAR: At least five militants have been killed and three others were injured as rival Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant groups clashed on the border of North and South Waziristan Agency.

Official sources say that the clashes in Shawal area erupted today after claims by rival TTP groups of Shehryar Mehsud and Khan “Sajna” Said.

Fighting between the two factions have claimed scores of militants lives while repeated ceasefire calls have also proven to be false as the two groups continue to clash.

Khan “Sajna” Said is trying to wrest control of the Mehsud tribe - with its many weapons and lucrative smuggling routes and extortion business - from rival Shehryar Mehsud.

The factional fighting has complicated attempts by the government to end the insurgency through peace talks it proposed in February.

Some Taliban commanders are in favour of peace talks but others have vowed to continue their insurgency.