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| India-Pakistan |
| Tribal chieftain among 14 killed in SWA clashes |
| 2009-08-14 |
| [The News (Pak) Top Stories] It seems target killing has once again started in the violence-hit South Waziristan as four persons, including a prominent pro-government tribal chieftain, were killed and three others injured in a bomb blast in Wana on Thursday. Also, fighting between the pro-government militant commander, Turkistan Bhittani and Baitullah Mehsud-led Taliban continued for the second consecutive day on Thursday at Sur Ghar area near Srarogha in South Waziristan in which, officials said, 10 more people were killed. Tribal sources told The News from Wana, headquarters of South Waziristan, that unidentified persons had planted an explosive-device with a motorcycle and parked it with the car of the tribal elder, Malik Khadeen. The explosive device went off as soon as Khadeen and his son approached their car, killing him and his three security guards on the spot. The sources said Malik Khadeen was presumed to be the target of unknown terrorists as he had already survived two similar attempts on his life. Three other persons, including his son, sustained serious injuries in the blast and were shifted to the nearby hospital in Wana. According to sources, Malik Khadeen being a pro-government tribal elder, was instrumental in eviction of Uzbekistani militants from Wana and Shakai areas of South Waziristan in 2007. Meanwhile, fierce fighting between Turkistan Bhittani and his rival group affiliated with Baitullah Mehsud continued for the second day in parts of South Waziristan. A government official based in Tank said 10 persons from both sides were killed on Thursday. Pleading anonymity, he said 30 houses owned by the Bhittani tribesmen had been burnt by the invading Taliban militants in Sur Ghar village - located on the boundary between FR Jandola and South Waziristan. There were also reports of shelling by the military helicopter gunships on suspected positions of the Baitullah Mehsud-led Taliban in which the sources said 15 militants were killed. |
| Posted by:Fred |