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Bomb hits Pakistan tribal elders Bomb hits Pakistan tribal elders
(about 4 hours later)
A bomb has killed at least nine people and wounded nearly 40 at a gathering of tribal elders in the Pakistani tribal area of Bajaur, hospital staff say. A bomb has killed at least nine people and wounded about 40 at a gathering of tribal elders in the Pakistani tribal area of Bajaur, hospital staff say.
The bomb went off when the tribal elders were gathering to draw up a plan to drive militants out of their area as part of a government anti-Taleban plan.The bomb went off when the tribal elders were gathering to draw up a plan to drive militants out of their area as part of a government anti-Taleban plan.
Bajaur is a crucial hub for insurgents, with access routes to Afghanistan and the rest of Pakistan.Bajaur is a crucial hub for insurgents, with access routes to Afghanistan and the rest of Pakistan.
Hospital staff say they expect the number of casualties to increase.Hospital staff say they expect the number of casualties to increase.
Officials say that the bomb - detonated by remote control - targeted members of the Salarzai tribe as they were discussing ways to evict the Taleban from their area. They say that a senior tribal elder, Sazlal Karim, was among the dead.Officials say that the bomb - detonated by remote control - targeted members of the Salarzai tribe as they were discussing ways to evict the Taleban from their area. They say that a senior tribal elder, Sazlal Karim, was among the dead.
Targeting eldersTargeting elders
In a separate incident on Thursday, officials said that at least four suspected militants were killed in aerial bombing by Pakistani jets in Bajaur.In a separate incident on Thursday, officials said that at least four suspected militants were killed in aerial bombing by Pakistani jets in Bajaur.
Taleban militants have been in complete control in parts of BajaurTaleban militants have been in complete control in parts of Bajaur
They say that the jets targeted the residence of a local militant commander, but it is not known if he is also among the dead.They say that the jets targeted the residence of a local militant commander, but it is not known if he is also among the dead.
Government forces have been conducting operations against militants in Bajaur since August.Government forces have been conducting operations against militants in Bajaur since August.
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Pakistan says that there have been some recent claims of success, but forces continue to face stiff resistance in various areas, especially near the Afghan border.The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Pakistan says that there have been some recent claims of success, but forces continue to face stiff resistance in various areas, especially near the Afghan border.
The army is also encouraging local tribes in Bajaur and elsewhere in north-west Pakistan to stand up to militants linked to the Taleban and al-Qaeda.The army is also encouraging local tribes in Bajaur and elsewhere in north-west Pakistan to stand up to militants linked to the Taleban and al-Qaeda.
In response, the Taleban have been targeting elders who oppose them.In response, the Taleban have been targeting elders who oppose them.
Last month nearly 30 people were killed in a suicide car bomb attack in the Orakzai region aimed at a meeting of hundreds of local people who had met to discuss how to fight the Taleban.Last month nearly 30 people were killed in a suicide car bomb attack in the Orakzai region aimed at a meeting of hundreds of local people who had met to discuss how to fight the Taleban.
The Taleban have grown in strength in the lawless tribal areas along the Afghan border, where until recently they were safe from American attack.The Taleban have grown in strength in the lawless tribal areas along the Afghan border, where until recently they were safe from American attack.
But in recent months, the US and Pakistani military have been attacking their bases, while local tribal leaders have been increasingly encouraged to take up arms against the Taleban and al-Qaeda.But in recent months, the US and Pakistani military have been attacking their bases, while local tribal leaders have been increasingly encouraged to take up arms against the Taleban and al-Qaeda.
At the end of October officials said that Islamist militants in part of Bajaur had vowed to lay down their arms and renounce violence.At the end of October officials said that Islamist militants in part of Bajaur had vowed to lay down their arms and renounce violence.
The vow was taken before a jirga or tribal meeting in the Mamund area of Bajaur, a Taleban stronghold.The vow was taken before a jirga or tribal meeting in the Mamund area of Bajaur, a Taleban stronghold.