Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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November 6, 2008

Bomb Kills 9 at Pakistani Tribal Leader Meeting
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1F2C0E1:A6F02AD83191E160DE7AAC645907BC1E21A4E82C900CD027&
 
Officials say attack occurred in semi-autonomous Bajaur region,
bordering Afghanistan 
Pakistani officials say a bomb exploded Thursday in the country's
northwest at a meeting of tribal leaders who oppose al-Qaida and Taliban
extremists, killing at least nine people and wounding more than 40
others. Authorities said it appeared to have been a suicide bombing,
while tribal leaders were drawing up a plan to force militants out of
their area. The attack occurred near the town of Khar in the
semi-autonomous Bajaur region bordering Afghanistan, where many
militants have gathered after being driven out of other Pakistani
regions. The government has increased attacks in the Bajaur region as
well, killing at least 11 suspected militants earlier Thursday in raids
by Pakistani fighter jets. The U.S. military has also been targeting
Pakistan's tribal areas, from where many of the militants launch attacks
in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. In an interview with the Associated
Press, the chief of U.S. Central Command, General David Petraeus, said
three of the top 20 extremist leaders had been killed in the region
recently. He did not identify those killed.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.


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