Helicopter gunships also bombed suspected locations of militants in the area, adjacent to the South Waziristan tribal region, but there were no casualties.

Baitullah’s men took control of Jandola town, Soor Kali and Kari Wam on Monday after heavy clashes with Bhittani tribesmen.

Tank DCO Berkatullah Marwat told reporters that the death toll had reached 15 in the ongoing clashes between the warring groups and 35 houses had been burnt.

The clashes erupted after Baitullah’s men attacked the house of peace committee head, Commander Turkistan, in the Soor Ghar area. They also set on fire houses of several peace committee members.

Mr Turkistan had won the government backing after he challenged the writ of Baitullah’s supporters in the area. He is reported to have taken shelter in a paramilitary forces’ fort in Jandola.

Sources said the Baitullah’s men had taken hostage 27 elders of Minshamel clan, a sub-section of the Bhittani tribe.

Security forces, backed by tanks and APCs, were heading to the Manzai Fort in Jandola, triggering speculations about a military operation in the area.