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Militants Take Over Town in Northwest Pakistan

24 June 2008

Pakistan
Taliban and al-Qaida-linked militants have taken over a town after clashing with a rival group in northwestern Pakistan.

Local officials said militants loyal to Baitullah Mehsud seized the town of Jandola, near South Waziristan, late Monday after fighting with tribesmen led by Turkistan Bitani, commander of a pro-government faction in the region.

At least nine people have been killed in the fighting.

The clash comes as Pakistan's new government tries to strike a peace deal with militants in the tribal region.

Pakistani officials say security forces were expected to take action against militants loyal to Mehsud to restore control of Jandola.

Elsewhere in Pakistan's northwest, military officials say militants attacked a military convoy in the Swat Valley, Tuesday. At least one militant was killed and another wounded, when troops responded to the attack.

Tuesday's attack came despite a government peace deal with pro-Taliban militants in the former tourist destination. 

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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