Masked men gun down bandits in Pakistan's Waziristan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan, June 26 (Reuters) Masked gunmen killed a bandit chief and four of his gang today in a Pakistani tribal region where the army has been fighting pro-Taliban and al Qaeda guerrillas, a government official said.

The slayings in North Waziristan came a day after pro-Taliban militants called a month-long ceasefire in the region to give a chance to tribal elders to broker a settlement after months of fierce clashes.

The bandit, Guldawar Khan, was shot in his home along with his followers in the Shawal area in North Waziristan, a local government official, who declined to be identified, told Reuters.

He said the bandit had received warnings from Islamist militants who have also taken on a vigilante role in the region, where the authorities find it hard to tackle lawlessness and fight pro-Taliban tribesmen at the same time.

Family and tribal feuds are another frequent motive for killings in the Pashtun tribal lands, where many men own guns.

Security forces focused on fighting al Qaeda and pro-Taliban guerrillas have killed more than 300 militants, including 75 foreigners, in North Waziristan since last year.

REUTERS SHR VV1505