Clashes in Mohmand Agency 19 killed

Saturday, July 4, 2009 at 5:41 pm

PESHAWAR: Clashes between tribesmen and Taliban militants left 19 people dead in Mohmand region on Saturday.

The fighting took place in remote Mohmand region, part of the lawless tribal belt, killing 12 tribesmen and seven militants.

Islamabad has encouraged local tribesmen in the semiautonomous frontier areas to establish lashkars — to flush out Taliban fighters.

Fresh clash was the first major fighting in months between tribesmen and militants in the Mohmand tribal region. Tribal elders have begun to clear the area of militants after receiving a warning from the military that it would be forced to send in troops if the tribesmen failed to either kill or evict the insurgents.

Dozens of militants attacked the tribesmen after receiving a warning from a council of tribal elders to leave the area, the official said.

“The fighting between tribesmen and Taliban began this morning and so far 19 people, including 12 tribesmen and seven Taliban have died,” a local government official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Local security officials confirmed the clashes and the death toll.