Clashes between Taliban and tribal militia kill five

Local administration official says seven anti-Taliban militia members received injuries

PESHAWAR: Taliban insurgents on Saturday clashed with government-backed tribal militia on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, killing five militants, officials said.

The incident occurred in Speena Danda area of Khyber district.

"Five Taliban were killed and seven anti-Taliban militia members received injuries in a clash with Taliban and their supporters," a local administration official told AFP, requesting anonymity.

Intelligence officials confirmed the incident and causalities.

The peace committee or volunteer force comprising local tribesmen support anti-Taliban efforts of government in the region. There are a number of government-backed groups in the restive tribal belt that have taken up arms against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

The Pakistan Army launched a major offensive in North Waziristan in June and say they have killed more than 1,100 militants so far, with 100 soldiers losing their lives in the operation.

The area is off-limits to journalists, making it impossible to independently verify the number and identity of the dead.

The army assault was launched after a dramatic attack by militants on Karachi airport, which killed dozens of people and marked the end of faltering peace talks between the government and the militants.