18 terrorists killed in rival Kurram clash

At least 18 terrorists, including a senior commander, were killed in a clash between rival extremist groups in Central Kurram, authorities said. Officials said the cause of the infighting has not yet been confirmed.

PESHAWAR: At least 18 terrorists, including a senior commander, were killed in an armed clash between two rival extremist groups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district, authorities said on Thursday.

According to police officials, the fighting took place in the Manatu Kamran Khel area of Central Kurram, where armed men linked to terrorist commanders Kazim and Mumtaz Imti exchanged heavy fire.

A police spokesperson said the dead included commander Mumtaz Omati along with 17 other armed fighters. The official described Mumtaz Omati as a notorious commander.

Clash in Central Kurram

Authorities said the confrontation occurred between rival militant factions active in the area. After the fighting stopped under a ceasefire, local tribesmen began burying the bodies of those killed in the clash.

Security sources said several militant groups remain active in Central Kurram. The area has seen repeated action by law enforcement agencies in recent years as authorities sought to curb the presence of armed groups.

Security operations in the region

Police have carried out periodic operations in the district. During those actions, hundreds of extremists were killed and dozens of hideouts were destroyed, including training camps used by banned outfits.

Officials have not yet determined what led to the latest infighting. Authorities said it was still unclear whether the clash was triggered by a dispute over territory or by competition for leadership within the rival groups.

The latest incident highlights the continued presence of militant factions in parts of Central Kurram, where security agencies have conducted operations from time to time against armed networks. Officials said the circumstances behind the confrontation were still being examined.

Police and security officials confirmed the casualties from the clash, while local residents in the area moved to bury the dead after the ceasefire took hold. No further official details were provided about the sequence of events leading up to the gun battle beyond the involvement of fighters loyal to the two commanders named by authorities.