Islamabad: Four tribal elders, who had raised a militia against the Taliban in Pakistan's restive Bajaur Agency, were kidnapped and beheaded by the militants.

The beheaded bodies of the tribal elders were found in the Tangi Khawar area yesterday. Three other tribal chieftains who were also kidnapped are still missing, media reports here said today.

The seven tribal elders, who had raised an armed lashkar of militia against the Taliban in the Charmang area of Bajaur, were abducted on Thursday. Passions ran high in the region as the tribesmen condemned the brutal killing of the four elders.

Undeterred by the kidnapping and killing of the tribal elders from Charmang, a lashkar of the Mamond tribe yesterday demolished several houses of militants and their associates.

The grand jirga or council of the Mamond tribe also decided to continue and extend its operations against the militants to all parts of Mamond sub-district.

The Pakistan government and army are encouraging the formation of tribal militias to take on the Taliban in the lawless tribal areas. However, the Taliban too has stepped up attacks targeting tribal elders who challenge their writ.

Fifty tribesmen were killed and over 100 injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a jirga in Aurakzai Agency that was discussing the formation of a lashkar to take on the Taliban.
Source : PTI