At least 20 people have been killed during continued fighting in the restive tribal belt of Pakistan. In the Orakzai Agency, jets attacked Taliban bases killing 15; drone strikes in South Waziritan left 3 dead; and 2 persons were killed in gunfight between fundamentalist groups in Bajuar Agency – all events taking place on Sunday, April 19, 2009.

The attack on Taliban bases in the Orakzai Agency (near Hangu) followed Taliban’s claim of responsibility for the suicide bombing of a security check post in Doaba (Hangu), on Saturday, which killed more than 20 people. Jet planes and military helicopters bombed Taliban hideouts in the Agency near the Ghiljo area and killed 15 people. Military sources claimed that 4 Taliban bases were destroyed during the attack.

In South Waziristan, US drones targeted a Taliban compound, killing three people and leaving five others wounded. According to the neighboring tribesmen, the attack also hit a truck parked near the compound and, apparently, containing explosives. Following the blasts, a truck carrying Taliban was spotted racing towards the scene. Some local residents reportedly denied the killing of Taliban, saying that the compound had been evacuated the night before the attack.

An episode of armed clash took place between two fundamentalist groups in Bajuar Agency, killing two and wounding one person. It was a gunfight between local Taliban and members of Tahreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM); the reason behind the fight could not be found out. However, there have been reports of differences between the two fundamentalist groups in the area, both of which are trying to claim the authority in the area while jirgas (traditional meetings for negotiations) are underway to resolve their conflict.