This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6470299.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Rival militants clash in Pakistan Rival militants clash in Pakistan
(about 6 hours later)
More than 50 people have been killed in fighting between al-Qaeda militants and local pro-Taleban tribesmen in north-west Pakistan, officials say. Nearly 50 people have been killed after rising tension between local tribesmen and foreign militants in north-west Pakistan erupted into fierce fighting.
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.
Most of those killed were foreign militants, officials said. At least two children also died in the crossfire. Most of those killed were militants from Uzbekistan suspected of links with al-Qaeda, officials said. At least two children also died in the crossfire.
The tribal areas are home to hundreds of foreign militants who fled the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. The Taleban have reportedly sent senior commanders to the area to seek a truce.
The area is a stronghold of the Taleban, who have close ties to local tribes.
It is also 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] Maj-Gen Waheed Arshad, Military spokesman Fractious militants The tribesmen are fed up with them [foreign militants] Maj-Gen Waheed Arshad, Military spokesman Fractious militants
They are supported by local tribesmen, who also have close ties to the Afghan Taleban. All of those in the mountainous region want Western troops out of Afghanistan, but divisions and power struggles between them have reportedly grown in recent months.
The militants all want Western troops out of Afghanistan, but there are divisions and power struggles among them. Uzbek militants had largely kept themselves to themselves and were not linked to al-Qaeda's anti-Western agenda, but in recent months they are reported to have become more involved in local disputes, says the BBC's Aamer Ahmed Khan in Islamabad.
Reports suggested that Taleban and local tribesmen had demanded the Uzbeks leave, or disarm, and that fighting broke out when they refused.
The Pakistani government, which has signed agreements with the tribesmen, has been urging them to kick out al-Qaeda-linked fighters.
Reports say two senior Taleban commanders, Baitullah Mahsud and Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, have gone to the area to try to broker a ceasefire.Reports say two senior Taleban commanders, Baitullah Mahsud and Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, have gone to the area to try to broker a ceasefire.
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 spilled over 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 fighting followed similar clashes in which 19 people were killed earlier this month.
Reports from South Waziristan's main town of Miranshah say the dead in the latest fighting included 38 foreigners, mostly Uzbeks, and 13 local militants. Dozens more were wounded. Reports from North Waziristan's main town of Miranshah say the dead in the latest fighting included at least 35 foreigners, mostly Uzbeks, and as many as a dozen local militants. Dozens more were wounded.
Pakistan military spokesman Maj-Gen Waheed Arshad confirmed the toll to be over 40.Pakistan military spokesman Maj-Gen Waheed Arshad confirmed the toll to be over 40.
Teachers said that children were among those killed when a mortar bomb hit their bus.Teachers said that children were among those killed when a mortar bomb hit their bus.
Local officials said the foreign al-Qaeda militants managed to take away their 38 bodies during a brief truce brokered by local tribesmen. Local officials said the foreign al-Qaeda militants managed to take away their bodies during a brief truce brokered by local tribesmen.
Fighting was continuing around the villages of Azam Warsak and Kalusha west of the town of Wana on Tuesday night.Fighting was continuing around the villages of Azam Warsak and Kalusha west of the town of Wana on Tuesday night.
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.
Thousands of Pakistani troops are in the areaThousands of Pakistani troops are in the area
Each side has blamed the other for the outbreak of fighting.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.