Local Sunni and Shia armed groups have clashed for decades, but the most recent fighting has killed more than 30 people.

A Pakistani government team has mediated a seven-day ceasefire deal between rival sectarian groups, halting days of clashes that have killed at least 68 people and injured dozens in the northwest of the country, one of the mediators said.

The clashes overnight between Sunni and Shiite tribes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province came a day after gunmen ambushed a convoy of vehicles in the area.

Government officials met with tribal leaders in northwestern Pakistan on Sunday to try to mediate a ceasefire between rival sectarian groups after days of clashes that have killed at least 68 people and injured dozens.

A senior Pakistani police officer says fighting between armed sectarian groups in the country's restive northwest has killed at least 33 people.