Pakistani tribesmen are raising armies to battle al-Qaida and Taliban militants close to the Afghan border — a movement encouraged by the military and hailed as a sign its offensive there is succeeding. The often ramshackle forces lend force to the campaign in the lawless and mountainous region, but analysts question their effectiveness against a well-armed, well-trained and increasingly brutal insurgency.
The extremists are increasingly targeting the militias, an indication they believe them to be a threat.On Sunday, two tribesman were killed during an army-backed offensive against insurgents in the Bajur tribal region.
Government official Jamil Khan said helicopter gunships shelled militants' bunkers, killing at least 10 people. Fifteen more suspected militants were killed in separate clashes, he said.
On Friday, a suicide bomber killed more than 50 tribesman gathering to form an army. Eight pro-government tribesmen have been beheaded in recent days.