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Rival militants clash in Pakistan Rival militants clash in Pakistan
(about 1 hour later)
Up to 30 people have been killed in fighting between al-Qaeda militants and local pro-Taleban tribesmen in north west Pakistan, the military says.Up to 30 people have been killed in fighting between al-Qaeda militants and local pro-Taleban tribesmen in north west Pakistan, the military says.
Heavy shelling has raged since Monday near Wana in the South Waziristan tribal area close to Afghanistan.Heavy shelling has raged since Monday near Wana in the South Waziristan tribal area close to Afghanistan.
The BBC has confirmed only seven deaths, including two school children caught in the cross-fire.The BBC has confirmed only seven deaths, including two school children caught in the cross-fire.
The tribal areas are home to hundreds of foreign militants who fled the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.The tribal areas are home to hundreds of foreign militants who fled the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.
The tribesmen are fed up with them [foreign militants] Military spokesman Waheed Arshad Fractious militants The tribesmen are fed up with them [foreign militants] Waheed Arshad, Military spokesman Fractious militants
They are supported by local tribesmen, who also have close ties to the Afghan Taleban.They are supported by local tribesmen, who also have close ties to the Afghan Taleban.
The militants all want Western troops out of Afghanistan, but there are divisions and power struggles among them.The militants all want Western troops out of Afghanistan, but there are divisions and power struggles among them.
Reports say two senior Taleban commanders, Baitullah Mahsud and Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, have gone to the area to try to pacify the two groups and managed to broker a ceasefire in the past few hours.Reports say two senior Taleban commanders, Baitullah Mahsud and Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, have gone to the area to try to pacify the two groups and managed to broker a ceasefire in the past few hours.
Children 'dead'Children 'dead'
Tensions between the mostly Uzbek fighters and local militants rose after an Arab militant was killed on Sunday.Tensions between the mostly Uzbek fighters and local militants rose after an Arab militant was killed on Sunday.
Taleban spread their wings High stakes on border Taleban spread their wings High stakes on border
The area has been fraught since similar clashes in which 19 people were killed earlier this month.The area has been fraught since similar clashes in which 19 people were killed earlier this month.
Pakistani military spokesman Major-General Waheed Arshad said 15 to 20 of the dead were foreign militants and most are believed to be Uzbeks.Pakistani military spokesman Major-General Waheed Arshad said 15 to 20 of the dead were foreign militants and most are believed to be Uzbeks.
"The numbers of casualties is rising and we have reports of 25 to 30 dead," he told Reuters news agency."The numbers of casualties is rising and we have reports of 25 to 30 dead," he told Reuters news agency.
Maj-Gen Arshad said about 30 people had been wounded in the fighting around Azam Warsak and Kalusha area west of Wana, the region's main town.Maj-Gen Arshad said about 30 people had been wounded in the fighting around Azam Warsak and Kalusha area west of Wana, the region's main town.
However the high number of casualties reported by military and security officials have not been confirmed by the local administration and other sources.However the high number of casualties reported by military and security officials have not been confirmed by the local administration and other sources.
They told the BBC that only seven people had died - five of them Uzbeks and two students.They told the BBC that only seven people had died - five of them Uzbeks and two students.
Another 26 people had been wounded so far in the clashes, local officials told the BBC.Another 26 people had been wounded so far in the clashes, local officials told the BBC.
Poor telecommunications in the area has meant that details of the latest clashes are sketchy. But they are reported to stem from differences between local tribesmen and foreign militants over the law and order situation in South Waziristan.Poor telecommunications in the area has meant that details of the latest clashes are sketchy. But they are reported to stem from differences between local tribesmen and foreign militants over the law and order situation in South Waziristan.
Spring offensiveSpring offensive
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says the clashes have turned a large area west of Wana into a battlefield, with both sides dug in in several villages.The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says the clashes have turned a large area west of Wana into a battlefield, with both sides dug in in several villages.
Each side has blamed the other for the outbreak of fighting. Thousands of Pakistani troops are in the area Each side has blamed the other for the outbreak of fighting.
Nato and the Afghan government have criticised Pakistan for recently signing peace deals with militants in South and North Waziristan.Nato and the Afghan government have criticised Pakistan for recently signing peace deals with militants in South and North Waziristan.
They argue that the agreements have created a safe haven for the Taleban in advance of an expected spring offensive by the militants in Afghanistan.They argue that the agreements have created a safe haven for the Taleban in advance of an expected spring offensive by the militants in Afghanistan.
But the government said the agreements were necessary to reduce the number of Pakistani soldiers who were being killed in the border areas.But the government said the agreements were necessary to reduce the number of Pakistani soldiers who were being killed in the border areas.
More than 700 Pakistani troops have lost their lives in the fight for control over the tribal areas in recent years.More than 700 Pakistani troops have lost their lives in the fight for control over the tribal areas in recent years.