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Rival militants clash in Pakistan Rival militants clash in Pakistan
(20 minutes later)
At least 46 people have been killed in fighting between al-Qaeda militants and local pro-Taleban tribesmen in north-west Pakistan, officials say. More than 50 people have been killed in fighting between al-Qaeda militants and local pro-Taleban tribesmen in north-west Pakistan, officials say.
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 cross-fire. Most of those killed were foreign militants, 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 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] 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.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 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 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 television said the nationality of the foreign fighters was not clear. 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.
"The dead include 35 foreign fighters while 11 people are from local tribes," it said, quoting Arbab Muhammad Arif who is in charge of security along much of the border area with Afghanistan. Pakistan military spokesman Maj-Gen Waheed Arshad confirmed the toll to be over 40.
Earlier, the military said another 30 people had been wounded in the fighting around the villages of Azam Warsak and Kalusha west of Wana, the region's main town. Teachers said that children were among those killed when a mortar bomb hit their bus.
Teachers said that children were also 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.
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.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.