AT-KABUL: At least 50 fighters have been killed in a fighting between two groups of the Taliban insurgents in the eastern province of Paktika, government officials said Friday.

“The militants loyal to Mullah Akhtar Mansoor attacked a group of the fighters who had announced allegiance to Mullah Rassoul some four days ago in Gomal district,” said Nabi Pirkhel, provincial spokesman.

Taliban have not commented in this regard.

Mullah Rassoul, a commander for the insurgents refused allegiance to Mullah Mansoor after the latter was appointed as the new leader of the group following the announcement of their founder and leader Mullah Omar’s death in July.

Rassoul has reportedly influence among the militants in the western provinces of Herat and Farah and claims that he deserves the leadership.

Sporadic fights between the loyalists of Mansoor and Rassoul had been earlier reported in Farah, Herat, Faryab and Zabul provinces.