20 killed in fierce clashes in northwest Pakistan
At least 20 people, including nine members of a pro-government militia and as many militants, were killed and several others injured in fierce clashes in northwest Pakistan today.
Militants ambushed a convoy of pro-government tribal elders at Janikhel in Bannu district of North West Frontier Province when they were on their way to meet security officials. The militants killed at least seven pro-government militiamen in the ambush while two more died in clashes later. Six militiamen were also injured in the ambush. At least three prominent elders who had opposed the Taliban were among the dead.
Members of the militia and local residents then killed nine militants in retaliatory attacks. Two personnel of the Khasadar force also died in the skirmishes. No militant group claimed responsibility for the ambush. The tribal elders were on their way to participate in a jirga that was being held to discuss ways to maintain peace in the area. Adnan Khan, a member of the NWFP assembly, told reporters that the Taliban were opposing the 'lashkar' or tribal militia and had resorted to attacking its members.
Bannu district police chief Iqbal Khan Marwat and senior security officials rushed to the site and launched a search operation for the attackers. The injured were rushed to district headquarters hospital here. Over the past few months, the Taliban have often attacked pro-government tribal elders and members of lashkars or militias that are backed by the security forces and the army.
