Commander: Pakistan tribal crisis brews

[Judi Lynn]

Commander: Pakistan tribal crisis brews
By Matthew Pennington, Associated Press Writer | March 22, 2005

SUI, Pakistan -- A local commander warned on Tuesday that a "major crisis" could be brewing in a restive Pakistani town where thousands of armed tribesmen have surrounded a military base following clashes last week that reportedly left dozens killed.

Brig. Salim Nawaz showed video images of what he said were tribesmen armed with rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles ringing the base in Dera Bugti, in Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan province. A local official told The Associated Press that around 5,000 tribesmen have taken up positions on mountains surrounding the town, some setting up roadblocks and digging trenches.

Tribesmen in the region have been angered by a dispute over royalty rights for natural gas extracted from the area, and by government plans to set up a new military garrison.
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http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2005/03/22/commander_pakistan_tribal_crisis_brews/