President Asif Ali Zardari, who reviewed the security situation and operations against the Taliban during a meeting with Prime Minster Yousaf Raza Gilani and Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani said the “fight against militancy and terrorism would end with the complete elimination of militants”.

Meanwhile, clashes between rival Shia and Sunni tribesmen intensified in Kurram tribal agency with the latest violence claiming 27 lives, reports reaching here said.

A ‘pro-government’ tribal leader along with his driver and bodyguard was killed in an ambush in Khyber tribal agency, police said.

Haji Gul Shah, an elder of the Kokikhel tribe who had survived three previous attempts on his life, was attacked by unidentified assailants near Teddi Bazar in the Jamrud area of Khyber agency.

Meanwhile, despite the Army’s claims that it had cleared most parts of Swat valley and nearby districts of militants, fresh clashes were reported at several places in these areas during the past 24 hours.