US drone killed 11 militants in Taliban

Islamabad: 11 Taliban militants were killed on Saturday in a US drone attack in Pakistan’s troubled northwestern tribal region near the border with Afghanistan, officials said. “Those killed were part of Punjabi Taliban group which is strong in the eastern province of Punjab on the Indian border,” he said.

Another official said there was at least one high value target among the dead militants but he refused to give details.

This is third drone strike since start of a military operation on June 15 to wipe out the bases of Taliban and other militants. More than 450 militants have been killed in the military offensive.

At least 18 militants were killed in the previous drone attack three days ago. Pakistan publicly opposes the drone attacks but there is growing suspicion that the latest strikes might have some sort of official approval.