A bomb attack near a mosque and a insurgent base in Pakistan's tribal belt killed at least 10 people on Thursday including an insurgent commander.

The attack apparently targeted a commander of Lashkar-e-Islam group based in the region. The group is not part of Pakistan's main Taliban alliance.

An insurgent commander was among those killed outside the mosque in Dars village of Upper Tirah valley. The attack also hit near a base of Lashkar-e-Islam.

"The death toll could rise as many people are still trapped under the rubble," a Pakistani intelligence official in the region told Reuters by telephone.

But the officials said the Thursday blast appeared to be related to rivalry between factions.

Meanwhile, U.S. special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.

Pakistan's civilian government on Thursday raised fresh concerns to visiting US envoy Holbrooke about Afghan refugees and fighters fleeing a major US-led offensive designed to capture a key Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani raised the matter in talks with Holbrooke following talks in Afghanistan.


Agencies