Key Taliban commander killed in Pakistan

A key Taliban commander was killed by security forces while a dozen people died in sectarian clashes in the volatile tribal belt in northwest Pakistan today, security officials said today.

Commander Zair Ali, an expert in making remote-controlled bombs, was shot dead by security forces in Salarzai area of Bajaur tribal region.

Acting on a tip-off about Ali and his accomplices being present in the area, troops cordoned off the region and asked them to lay down their arms and surrender.

Instead, the militants started firing at the security forces.

The troops killed the commander in retaliatory firing and arrested five militants.

A cache of arms and ammunition was seized by the troops.

In a separate development, twelve people were killed and 10 critically injured in clashes between the rival Bangash and Mengal tribes in Kurram tribal region.

Following today's deaths, a total of 29 people have been killed and 40 more injured in clashes that began about a week ago.

The rival groups are engaged in bloody clashes in Shalozan Tangi and Haiwas areas and are using heavy weapons like mortars, rockets and machine guns to target each other's positions.

Several houses have been destroyed in the fighting and many people are virtually stranded in their homes.