Islamabad: At least 70 people were killed and dozens injured Tuesday in clashes between Taliban militants and a pro-government militia in Pakistan's ungoverned tribal belt that borders Afghanistan, intelligence officials said Wednesday.
The fighting erupted when dozens of militants loyal to local Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, attacked the followers of Turkistan Bittani, who allied with the government after defecting the Taliban, in Jandola area of tribal district South Waziristan.
"It was a very well-organised attack and Taliban fired with heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles," an intelligence official said on condition of anonymity.
"According to the initial information, 70 people were killed and many more injured, while the Taliban also destroyed 35 houses," he added. Most of those who died were from Bittani's militia.
Bittani told DPA that 100 fighters died in the clashes while "our 40 houses have been destroyed". We have pushed them (Taliban) back but exchange of fire still continues," he said over phone.
Another intelligence official said government troops had started to pound militants with artillery fire, forcing them to retreat.
"There several vehicles have been hit and their men have also died, but we don't have exact figure," he said.
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