Clashes leave three militants, two pro-government tribesmen dead

Nov 18, 2008, 5:55 GMT

   Islamabad - Five people were killed in hours-long clashes between Taliban militants and pro-government tribesmen in north-western Pakistan's restive tribal district of Bajaur, an official said Tuesday.

   The firefight started Monday afternoon when the militants ambushed several tribal elders who were on their way to the district's main town, Khar, to attend a meeting of a local jirga, or tribal council, against the Taliban.

   'The exchange of fire that took place in Inayat Kalley continued late in the night,' said local government official Israr Khan. 'Two tribal elders and three Taliban died in the fighting.'

   According to the official, the Taliban abducted another tribal leader, Ismaeel Khan, who provided shelter to the tribesmen loyal to the government during the clashes. Three of his comrades were also seized.

   Since early August, the local population in various areas of Bajaur has raised laskhars, or traditional armies, to assist Pakistani troops in fighting Taliban and al-Qaeda insurgents.

   The government claimed last month that more than 1,500 insurgents and 70 security personnel had died in the government offensive in Bajaur, from where militants launch crossborder attacks on international forces in the neighbouring Afghan province of Kunar.