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03/07/2006:

"Fighting in Pakistan Leaves 100 Dead"

MIR ALI, Pakistan (AP) - Authorities imposed a curfew in this tribal region's main town Monday as thousands of people fled a third day of clashes between Pakistani security forces and al-Qaida and Taliban supporters. An official said at least 100 militants may have been killed.

Clerics tried to mediate a cease-fire to the fighting, most of which has been in Miran Shah. Security forces conducted mop-up operations Monday after artillery and helicopter gunships targeted militant strongholds in the town.

More than 100 militants might have died, based on intelligence reports and questioning of injured and arrested fighters, army spokesman Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan said. Security forces had yet to regain control of all compounds in Miran Shah, so he could not give an exact toll. Journalists were barred from the town.

The fighting in Pakistan's lawless tribal regions along the Afghan border is the bloodiest in more than two years and marks an escalation in President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's campaign to crack down on al-Qaida and Taliban militants and their local sympathizers.

It also underscored Islamabad's failure to establish governmental control in the rugged region - a possible hiding place of Osama bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri - where fiercely independent Pashtun tribesmen have resisted outside authority and influence for centuries.
guardian.co.uk

Bloody, fierce, lawless, tribal...ooga booga boo.