Text Only
Search

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.

emailme.gif E-mail This Article
printerfriendly.gif Print Version

  Related Stories
Supporters of Former Pakistan PM Protest Court Ruling
Pakistani Court Bars Sharif from By-Election, Blocks PM Ambitions
 
  Top Story
Obama: Iraq Election Law an "Important Milestone"  Audio Clip Available

  More Stories
Hurricane Ida Heads Toward Gulf of Mexico, Floods Kill 91 in El Salvador
Clinton Urges Europeans to Bring Down "Walls" of Terrorism, Oppression  Audio Clip Available
Iraqi Parliament Approves New Electoral Law After Raucous Debate  Audio Clip Available
US Army Chief of Staff: More Troops Needed in Afghanistan
17 Rebels Killed in Afghan Battle
Market Bomber Kills 13 in Northwest Pakistan
Motive Sought for Texas Mass Shooting
Dalai Lama Rejects Chinese Criticism of Monastery Visit  Audio Clip Available
China's Premier Pledges $10 billion in Loans to Africa  Audio Clip Available
Saudi Arabia Says Troops Take Back Land From Yemeni Rebels
APEC Leaders to Focus on Creating Economic Growth at Singapore Meeting  Audio Clip Available
India's PM Wants Rich Nations to Subsidize Cost for Poorer Countries  Audio Clip Available
Netanyahu Heads to US Amid Crisis in Peace Process  Audio Clip Available
Japan Pledges More Aid to Burma if Political Prisoners are Released
WFP Making Inroads on Alleviating Hunger  Audio Clip Available
Deposed Madagascar President says He Will Work With Rival Who Ousted Him  Audio Clip Available
US Health Care Debate Continues on Partisan Lines