LANDI KOTAL, March 2: At least 23 militants and 10 security personnel were killed in clashes in Tirah valley of Khyber tribal agency on Friday. In the same area, four militants were killed in a suicide attack on a Lashkar-i-Islam hideout by a boy reportedly commissioned by their rival Tariq Afridi group of Taliban.

(According to western news agencies, at least 22 people were killed in the suicide attack after Friday prayers in a mosque in Tirah valley while at least 10 soldiers and militants died in earlier clash around 10 kilometres away).

Informed sources told Dawn that the clash followed a pre-dawn attack on a bunker in Lakarro Baba area of Baz Garha by supporters of the banned Lashkar-i-Islam. The bunker had been captured by security forces about two weeks ago.

According to officials, 10 soldiers were killed and eight injured in the surprise attack.

The troops fired back and killed 23 LI militants. The officials claimed that after repulsing the attack, the forces fortified their position in Islami Sangar which was considered to be a strong base of LI.

Four members of LI were killed and three others injured in the suicide attack on their base in Nakai area of Mehraban Kali.

Noor Zahir, a resident of Mehraban Kali, told Dawn by phone from the area that a young boy who had explosives strapped to his body was on a pick-up coming from Naree Baba. The vehicle sped into the LI den when it was stopped by militants at a nearby checkpoint. The LI men in the area captured the driver of the pick-up.

Mohammad Afridi, a spokesman for the Tariq Afridi group of Taliban in Darrra Adamkhel, claimed responsibility for the suicide attack.

The Lashkar had expelled the group from Nakai and adjoining areas after fierce clashes in which scores of militants on both sides were killed.

Agencies add: Local administration official Jamilur Rehman told AFP that the suicide blast at the mosque killed at least 22 people and wounded more than 20 others.

“The bomber detonated himself near the gate of a mosque in Tirah valley of Khyber tribal region when people were returning from the prayers,” he said.

The mosque is located in an area controlled by warlord Mangal Bagh, he said, adding that most of the dead were from his Lashkar-i-Islam.

The attack and the toll were confirmed by Khyber administration official Mutahir Zeb Khan.

“It was a suicide attack. The bomber blew himself up at the entrance of the mosque when the worshippers were returning after the Friday prayers,” he said.

Mr Khan earlier said at least 10 Pakistani soldiers and 23 militants were killed in a gunfight which lasted for nearly six hours.

“All law-enforcement agencies’ posts in the area were intact and the situation was stable,” the official said, blaming the Lashkar- i-Islam group for attacking the outpost.

A commander of TTP, a local rival of Lashkar-i-Islam, claimed responsibility for the suicide attack in a phone call.

The commander, who gave his name as Mohammed, said it was in revenge for an attack last month that killed Taliban fighters.

The two groups have been fighting for control of the Tirah Valley over the last year.