KOHAT, Oct 5: The death toll in clashes between two groups over the ownership of a shrine in Orakzai Agency has risen to five, while 15 people have been wounded, sources said.

Political Agent Sher Alam Khan Mehsud confirmed four deaths with 12 to 15 people injured in the sectarian clashes over the past three days.

Armed supporters of the rival groups have taken positions on hilltops and are firing missiles and rockets on each other.

Security forces have been put at the highest state of alert in the neighbouring Hangu district.

Officials said two houses near the shrine had been destroyed and a seminary taken over by the Shia groups was back in the hands of Sunnis.

The sources said armed volunteers from North Waziristan and other tribal areas had joined the conflict as both sides were trying to take possession of the shrine of a saint.

Federal Culture Minister Dr G.G. Jamal, who arrived in Kalaya on Wednesday, attended a jirga convened to try to stop the fighting. The sources said tribal elders had been negotiating for three days to stop the clashes.

The political agent told Dawn on Thursday that he had heard about the movement of outsiders in the area, but he could not confirm the reports.

He said that the administration was avoiding use of force.

He said firing had subsided since Thursday afternoon but the situation was very tense.

He said the administration had made it clear to all the tribes that they should go back to their positions of Sept 25, after which a jirga would be summoned and a decision would be taken according to tribal customs.

Replying to a question, he said troops camped in Kalaya had not been ordered to take action against the warring tribes.