The jihadists register their disapproval of a ceasefire. “Eight peace-seeking tribal elders shot dead in Pakistan,” by Allegra Stratton in the Guardian Unlimited (thanks to Block Ness):
Eight tribal leaders attempting to broker a ceasefire in Pakistan’s dangerous north-west province have been shot dead by suspected Islamic militants in eight separate killings.
The assassinations began late on Sunday night and continued into the early hours of Monday morning, according to a statement from a security official and the military.
The eight tribal leaders were scheduled to meet each other on Monday in Wana to discuss plans to achieve peace between between security forces and insurgents.
All the attacks happened in South Waziristan, a mountainous region close to Afghanistan where al-Qaida and Taliban militants are known to operate. The suspected insurgents killed three of the men in a market in Wana, the region’s main town, while the other five were killed in attacks on their homes, the security official said.
Pakistan’s security forces have fought intense battles with militants in South Waziristan. Although the government has encouraged moderate tribal elders to push for a ceasefire in the region, there has been little sign of success.
Also today, a suicide attacker detonated a bomb near a guesthouse occupied by military officers, wounding one person….