Bomb hits Pakistan tribal elders

At least nine people are now dead and nearly 40 others wounded after a bomb exploded at a gathering of tribal elders in the Bajaur, Pakistan.



Officials say the bomb, which was detonated by remote control, targeted members of the Salarzai tribe as they were discussing ways to evict the Taleban from their area.



Hospital staff said they expect the number of casualties to increase.



They say a senior tribal elder, Sazlal Karim, was among the dead.



The army is encouraging local tribes in north-west Pakistan to stand up to militants linked to the Taleban and al-Qaeda.



The Taleban have reportedly been targeting elders who resist them.



Last month nearly 30 people were killed in a suicide car bomb attack in the Orakzai region aimed at a meeting of hundreds of local people, who had met to discuss how to fight the Taleban.