Elders of Mehsud tribe ask Pak Govt to stop operation in Waziristan

Islamabad, Aug 6 (ANI): A delegation of elders of the Mehsud tribe of South Waziristan has arrived in Islamabad in an effort to persuade the Pakistan Government to stop military action against the people of their area.

The 45-member jirga led by Senator Saleh Shah has met several leaders, including JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi and parliamentarians from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

They discussed the situation in Waziristan and the plight of the Mehsuds as a result of the action by security forces. The issue of displaced people was also discussed.

The jirga opposes military operation in the area, warning that such measures will result in a 'catastrophe'.

The delegation's spokesman Salahuddin Mehsud said the elders had informed the parliamentarians of hardships being faced by the people of the tribe.

Earlier, a US drone fired two missiles on a house in the Zangara area of South Waziristan's Ladha tehsil, critically injuring three children and killing a woman believed to be the second wife of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Baitullah Mehsud.

"Baitullah is safe and alive," said Iqbal Mehsud, a cousin of the dead woman. The woman is believed to be one of three people killed.

Local tribal elders told Daily Times the targeted house had belonged to Baitullah's father-in-law, Malik Ikramuddin Mehsud.

They said the drone attack had occurred around midnight on Tuesday, adding Malik Ikram's house was completely destroyed.

"We have confirmed reports that the wife of Baitullah Mehsud died in this US drone attack," said an administration official in South Waziristan. (ANI)