Militants attack anti-Taliban mayor in Pakistan

More than a dozen militants opened fire on the house of an anti-Taliban mayor in northwestern Pakistan on Sunday, but security guards repelled the attack, killing three assailants who had disguised themselves by wearing women's burqas according to police. Militants have staged a wave of attacks in the region in recent weeks in retaliation for an army offensive launched last month in the tribal area of South Waziristan, where al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders are believed to be hiding. Three militants who initiated the attack in the town of Bazid Khel against Mayor Mohammad Fahim Khan's house concealed themselves by donning all-encompassing burqas traditionally worn by Muslim women. Police officials said the security guards challenged the burqa-clad "women" and then the men threw away their disguises and opened fire. He said the guards were alert and retaliated quickly. The two groups waged a gunbattle before the remaining militants fled. Khan is the second mayor who has organised a local militia to fight against theTaliban to be attacked in the last week. Last Sunday a suicide bomber hit a crowded market outside the main northwestern city of Peshawar, killing 12 people, including a mayor who once supported but turned against the Taliban.

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ITN | November 15, 2009

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