PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Pakistani Taliban militants loyal to Baitullah Mehsud clashed with a group opposed to them, resulting in dozens killed, intelligence officials said.
The clashes, coming in the wake of the reported death of Mehsud in a missile strike, occurred Wednesday in Pakistan's South Waziristan tribal region.
A Pakistani intelligence official told CNN at least 70 fighters died in the clashes after hundreds of Taliban attacked the villages of Shunza and Heech, the strongholds of the supporters of Haji Turkistan Betani, who opposes the Taliban.
The report said most of the victims were Betani supporters. The Taliban also wounded dozens and set fire to many homes.
Local people said as many as 100 died in the clashes, which were continuing.
Another Pakistani intelligence official, who confirmed the clashes to CNN without giving the number of people killed, said local police used heavy weapons in support of Betani's men.
U.S. and Pakistani officials have said they believe Mehsud was killed last week but the Taliban claims he is alive.
Separately Wednesday, Pakistani Minister of Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira repeated official statements that Mehsud is dead and that the Taliban is in disarray, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
