PARACHINAR: At least 15 militants were killed in a shootout between the supporters of two Pakistani Taliban commanders near the Afghan border, a government official said.

The official, Mir Alam, said several insurgents were also wounded during Saturday's gunbattle in the Orakzai tribal region. He said it was unclear what sparked the shootout.

However, such clashes are common in Orakzai where an unspecified number of insurgents and their commanders have been hiding after fleeing a military operation in nearby regions in recent years.

Pakistan's army declared a victory in Orakzai last year but violence has continued.