At least 22 people are dead in a suicide bombing in northwestern Pakistan that apparently targeted rival militants.
A spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban called news organizations Friday to claim responsibility for the attack at a mosque in a part of the Tirah Valley, in Khyber Agency, controlled by the Lashkar-e-Islam group. Pakistani officials say the bomber blew himself up just outside the mosque and that most of the victims appear to be militants.
Both the Pakistani Taliban and Lashkar-e-Islam have been battling for control of the valley.
Earlier, Pakistani officials said militants in the same area clashed with security forces, leaving at least 10 soldiers and 23 militants dead.
Separately Friday, Pakistani police say gunmen have shot and killed an intelligence official in the northwestern city of Peshawar. It was not immediately clear who shot the official, but Taliban militants have attacked and killed intelligence officials in the area.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.
