Source: AP
A Pakistani official says a clash between Taliban militants and pro-government tribal elders has left at least five people dead.

Israr Khan is a government representative in Bajur, a region on the Afghan border where troops and tribal militias are battling Taliban guerrillas.

Khan said Taliban gunmen exchanged fire with tribal leaders holed up in a fortress-like compound in Bajur for several hours late Monday.

Khan said Tuesday that a Taliban commander was shot dead and that four elders died in an explosion at the compound. It was unclear what caused the blast.

Taliban and al-Qaida militants have established strongholds in Pakistan’s lawless northwest from which they attack U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

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Tags: official, pro-government tribal elders, Taliban militants