PESHAWAR, June 26: Masked gunmen killed a bandit chief and four members of his gang on Monday in North Waziristan, a government official said. The slayings in the Shawal area of North Waziristan came a day after pro-Taliban militants called a month-long ceasefire in the region to give a chance to tribal elders to broker a settlement after months of fierce clashes.

The bandit, Guldawar Khan, was killed in his home along with his accomplices, a local government official told Reuters.

He said the bandit had received warnings from militants who have also taken on a vigilante role in the region, where the authorities find it hard to tackle lawlessness and fight pro-Taliban tribesmen at the same time.

Family and tribal feuds are another frequent motive for killings in the region.

Security forces focused on fighting Al Qaeda and pro-Taliban guerrillas have killed more than 300 militants, including 75 foreigners, in North Waziristan since last year.

—Reuters