Official: 10 die in suicide attack in NW Pakistan

[October 10, 2008]  PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) -- An official says a suicide bomber attacked a group of anti-insurgent tribesmen in a Pakistani tribal region near the Afghan border, killing at least 10 and wounding more than 50.

Government official Sher Akbar Khan says the tribesmen had gathered Friday to plan the demolition of a main militant base in the Orakzai tribal area. Some 500 people of the Alizai tribe were there when the attacker struck.

Al-Qaida and Taliban militants have established bases in Pakistan's tribal regions. The U.S. has pushed Pakistan to eliminate such sanctuaries. Pakistan has tried to woo the tribes to take stands against the insurgents.

Orakzai, which is near the main northwest city of Peshawar, has been one of the more peaceful tribal areas.

[Associated Press]

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