Tribes recruited in bin Laden hunt

Hundreds of colorful turbans dot the vista as tribesmen dance to the beat of drums, heralding an agreement to form a 600-strong tribal force to hunt "foreign terrorists" in this remote corner of Pakistan.

The semiautonomous region of Waziristan is the focus of a push by Pakistani forces, in coordination with US troops across the border in Afghanistan, to round up or kill suspected Al Qaeda and Taliban guerrillas, including Osama bin Laden, who is believed to be in the area.

The new tribal posse represents a last ditch effort by local chiefs to save face and preserve their long-held autonomy by preempting further Pakistani military and paramilitary operations in the region. If successful, the strategy could diffuse the potentially explosive resentment among tribesmen unused to the government's deployments. But giving the lead to a tribal force may subject the increasingly urgent US and Pakistani dragnet to new delays.

"This is the last chance for the tribesmen," says Rehmatullah Wazir, a senior government official in South Waziristan. "The tribal elders pleaded with us to give them an opportunity. And we have told them to produce results within the next few days, otherwise be ready to face consequences."

In exchange, the tribesmen are demanding that the government release arrested elders unconditionally, as well as expel thousands of Afghan refugee families. Chiefs say the refugees are a root cause of the problem as "foreign terrorists take refuge with them."

The jirga, or tribal gathering, will continue in the coming days after elders said they needed more time for further consultations with tribesmen living along the border with Afghanistan before the final formation of the lashkar, or armed force of tribal volunteers.

"We want to act within days, but the process takes time because according to tribal traditions we need to consult everybody, and that is a big challenge," says tribal elder Malik Khadeen.

The proposed force - yet to be finalized - is expected to be comprised of different clans from the Zali Khel tribe and would focus on hunting down Al Qaeda guerrillas and those harboring them. Tribesmen have traditionally formed lashkars in times of trouble, and they enjoy a level of legitimacy that the Pakistani military has never had among residents here.

In keeping with tradition regarding treatment of criminals, the force would ostracize and destroy the homes of clan families who provide shelter and food to Al Qaeda. Pakistani officials have issued warnings to the tribesmen that those found guilty of hosting militants would face a 1.5 million rupee ($26,215) fine, seven years in prison, and house demolitions.

"Let's ready ourselves for the battle against those who have brought difficult times on us," a tribal chief shouted in pashto, announcing the decision of the jirga, which is being attended by more than a thousand tribesmen.

"We will form the force and end doubts of the government that Al Qaeda are hiding here. Once we act, there will be no need of any other force for operation," says Mr. Khadeen.

Pakistani officials say they will be monitoring the tribal force for fast results, though the military will not accompany the tribal forces.

Many analysts believe the new tactic in the Al Qaeda hunt may not prove effective as it must pass numerous hurdles in the archaic tribal system.

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