Seven key members of TTP surrender in Kurram Agency

At least seven key members of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) including the group's former chief Hakimullah Mehsud's brother and uncle have surrendered near the Afghan border region in Kurram Agency.

"Ejaz Mehsud and Khair Muhammad Mehsud, uncle of Hakimullah, handed themselves to authorities late Saturday," the Express Tribune quoted an official as saying.

Both of them reportedly surrendered at Lower Kurram's Shaheedanu Dand, one of the three crossing points between Kurram and Afghanistan.

The official, however, refused to comment on whether the two men crossed into Pakistan from Afghanistan or had been hiding on the Pakistani side of the border.

According to reports, at least four TTP commanders also surrendered to authorities and there is a possibility that more Taliban members could surrender in a couple of days.

So far, the group has not yet commented on the development.

Following the death of Hakimullah, the Taliban faced a serious rift and nearly 200 had been reportedly killed in clashes between the supporters of rival commanders Sheharyar Mehsud and Khan Said alias Sajna.

Hakimullah was killed in a U.S. drone strike in North Waziristan Agency in November 2013.

He had succeeded his mentor, Baitullah Mehsud, who was also killed in a U.S. drone strike in August 2009.