The FINANCIAL — An anti-Taliban tribal elder has been killed in a suicide bomb attack in the Bakakhel area of north-west Pakistan, just outside the lawless regions along the Afghan border where the Pakistani military has been battling Taliban and al-Qaida fighters.
AP reported that the target appeared to be Maulvi Abdul Hakim, a tribal leader who was instrumental in allowing security forces to pass through the area and gain access to the North Waziristan tribal region, a paramilitary official said.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to media. He said at least five people died, according to the same source. However, police officer Iqbal Marwat put the death toll at four, and confirmed Hakim was among them.
Several tribal elders were killed in a neighbouring district last week, BBC informs. The attack comes just days after many were killed in two other suicide car bomb attacks in the north-west.
"The bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into the vehicle carrying Abdul Hakeem and his two guards, killing them on the spot," said Wali Hayat Khan, a police official in the region, referring to the tribal elder, Reuters reported. Two passers-by were also killed, witnesses said.
The attack will compound fears that the Taliban are re-organizing and striking back against the government and its allies after setbacks which led to the interior minister proclaiming that the back of the militants had been broken, according to the same source.
Pakistan's military has been carrying out operations in South Waziristan, and taking some limited actions against militants in North Waziristan over the last several months, AP wrote. The Waziristans are home to several Taliban and other militant factions — which has also made them a favorite target for U.S. missile strikes.
The U.S. has applauded Pakistan's efforts to crack down on militants on its soil, many of whom are alleged to use Pakistan as a hideout from which to plan attacks on American and NATO troops in Afghanistan, the same source reported. However, Pakistan's efforts have met with Taliban retaliation.
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