3 Pak officials die in firing

Three officials have been killed in Pakistan’s tribal region of North Waziristan while trying to enforce a ban on carrying arms. The security officials came under fire in a market in the town of Miran Shah after they asked a local tribesman to hand over his AK-47 rifle. The region, which borders Afghanistan, is an important battleground in Pakistan’s campaign against al Qaeda. Thousands of Pakistani troops are deployed in the area. The local authorities in Miran Shah have asked the local Burakhel tribe to hand over the assailant, who fled after the attack. Two officials died on the spot and a third died of injuries in hospital. Two other security officials and a passer-by were also injured in the incident.