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| India-Pakistan |
| Wazooistan clash 'leaves 11 dead' |
| 2006-05-16 |
| At least 11 people have died in fresh violence in Pakistan's north-west tribal region, officials say. Eight militants and one soldier are said to have died in a clash with security forces near Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan. Earlier, unidentified armed men shot dead two local policemen in the area. The attacks come days after the end of an 11-day ceasefire called by pro-Taleban militants battling security forces in the restive region. Suspected militants are said to have ambushed a convoy of Pakistani troops near a check post on the road linking Miranshah with Razak. Officials say the soldiers retaliated, sparking off a gun battle. The Associated Press reports that the military, backed by helicopter gunships, are searching the area. The clash came hours after gunmen killed two policemen on patrol in Miranshah's main market. Security forces are battling against local militants who call themselves local Taleban aided, the army says, by foreign fighters linked to al-Qaeda. In March, a group of local Taleban seized control of government buildings in North Waziristan and later attacked the regional headquarters of the paramilitary troops in Miranshah. Since then officials say nearly 200 people have been killed in clashes or armed attacks, including many civilians. The army says it is winning, but local observers say the Pakistani Taleban have established control over parts of North and South Waziristan, sidelining and sometimes killing pro-government tribal elders. The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says the government is now trying to restore the political power of tribal leaders by setting up a grand council with representatives from across the tribal belt. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #1 Musharraf: "Send more troops up the Wazoo immediately! Aide: "General, that's up TO Wazoo." Musharraf: "That's what I said, dammit!" |
| Posted by: mcsegeek1 2006-05-16 11:54 |