A key Taliban commander was killed by security forces while a dozen people died in sectarian clashes in the volatile tribal belt in northwest Pakistan on Friday. Commander Zair Ali, an expert in making remote-controlled bombs, was shot dead by security forces in Salarzai area of Bajaur tribal region.A cache of arms and ammunition was seized by the troops. In a separate development, twelve people were killed and 10 critically injured in clashes between the rival Bangash and Mengal tribes in Kurram tribal region. Following today's deaths, a total of 29 people have been killed and 40 more injured in clashes that began about a week ago.