At least 14 militants were killed after a fierce gunbattle broke out between two rival armed groups in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, officials said on Wednesday.
The clash reportedly took place in a remote area near the Afghanistan border, where heavily armed militants from the two factions exchanged fire for several hours. Local security officials said multiple others were injured in the confrontation, though the exact number has not yet been confirmed.
According to police and security sources, the violence is believed to have been triggered by internal disputes over territorial control and influence in the region. The area has long witnessed militant activity, with several extremist groups operating near the mountainous border belt.
Authorities said security forces later reached the area and launched search operations to prevent further violence. The bodies of the deceased militants were recovered from the site after the exchange of fire ended.
Local residents reported hearing continuous gunfire and explosions during the clash, creating panic in nearby villages. Some families reportedly moved to safer areas fearing escalation of violence.
Pakistan’s northwest region has witnessed frequent militant attacks and armed confrontations in recent years, particularly after the resurgence of extremist groups following developments in neighbouring Afghanistan. Security forces have intensified anti-terror operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to curb insurgent activities.
Officials said investigations are underway to identify all those involved in the clash and determine whether the rival groups had links to larger militant networks active in the region.
