Pakistani tribal leader killed in ambush

Three people, including a prominent tribal leader, were killed when their vehicle was ambushed in north-western Pakistan today.

Malik Faridullah Khan was killed in the attack in Kani Wam area in the South Waziristan tribal region, an intelligence official said. His driver and another man also died.

Khan, a former government minister and member of the Pakistani senate, was travelling to the town of Tank, the official said.

No one claimed responsibility and a motive for the attack was not immediately known.

Alleged al Qaida linked militants have been blamed for attacks in the past against tribal elders believed to have helped authorities in the hunt against the fighters.

Today’s shooting came a day after Maj. Gen. Niaz Khattak, the commander of Pakistan army troops hunting down militants in South Wazirstan, said foreign militants have been eliminated in the region.

South Waziristan, a rugged area bordering Afghanistan, was believed to be the hiding place for hundreds of Arab, Afghan and Central Asian militants.