LANDI KOTAL, March 13: At least 13 militants were killed and 10 others injured in renewed clashes between rival militant groups in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency on Wednesday.

According to sources, the clashes began late on Tuesday night when Taliban launched an offensive on Ansaarul Islam positions in Therkikhel area of Qambarkhel tribe bordering Afghanistan and Kurram and Orakzai agencies.

Both sides used heavy weapons against each other and the clashes continued till late on Wednesday night. Militants from both groups were killed.

The Taliban launched the offensive from Babar Kachkol area of Kukikhel near the Afghan border. The Kukikhel territory is under their control since May last year.

Taliban attacked the Thor Thuth and Haider Kandaw strongholds of the AI and took control of them.

It was also learnt that Taliban dynamited and torched at least 10 houses of AI activists and sympathisers. However, Ansaarul Islam spokesman Saadat Afridi told reporters in Bara that his group had repulsed the attack after losing five of its activists and killing seven Taliban.

Local sources said the fighting was continuing despite inclement weather in the region.

If the Taliban succeed in taking control of the Therkikhel mountainous area, they will have an easy access to Kurram, Orakzai and Afghanistan, while restricting the Ansaarul Islam to their headquarters in Bagh-Maidan.

NATO CONTAINER: Meanwhile, the driver of a Nato container was injured by gunmen near Shagai in Jamrud.

However, the vehicle continued its journey towards Afghanistan via Torkham.

Khasadar force personnel arrested two suspects during a search operation launched in the locality after the attack.