LANDI KOTAL, June 21: A fierce gunbattle erupted between two groups in remote Tirah valley of the Khyber Agency on Saturday morning amid conflicting reports about the number of casualties.

Sources said the fighting started at Darper-Shalobar area after hundreds of armed Lashkar-i-Islam activists launched an attack on rival Ansaarul Islam. Both sides used heavy weapons during the day-long fighting.

Ansaarul Islam naib amir Ezzatullah Humkhayal announced on his FM radio that his supporters killed 18 Lashkar activists and captured another 10.

He said that four of their activists were also killed and as many sustained injuries in the clash.

Lashkar-i-Islam sources in Bara, however, disputed Humkhayal’s claim and said that only five of their activists were injured in the fighting.

The Ansaarul Islam spokesman also claimed that three houses of Lashkar’s supporters were set on fire in the Zakhakhel area.