7 Killed in Suspected US Drone Strike in Waziristan

At least 7 people have been killed in a second missile attack by a suspected US drone in North West Frontier Province’s Waziristan region, said officials.

A witness said that at least 3 to 4 missiles struck suspected training camp of terrorists in South Waziristan early on Wednesday. It may mentioned that at least 12 militants were killed in an identical attack on Tuesday.

The attacks were made with a view to target a stronghold of Pakistan’s top Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud.

Officials said that missiles were fired at a Taliban training camp in the thickly-forested and mountainous Karwan Manza area, located some 10km south-east of Ladha town in South Waziristan. The area is near the border with Afghanistan.

The said that the hideout was thoroughly destroyed in the strike just like another hideout attacked Tuesday, which took place 20 km away from Wednesday’s attack.

US officials believe that Mehsud is providing both the Taliban and al-Qaeda with a refuge in the region. They have placed a $5m bounty on his capture.

There have been dozens of drone strikes since last August, killing hundreds of militants and civilians.

Most of the strikes have taken place in the tribal regions of North and South Waziristan.

The strikes come at a time when the Pakistani government is engaged in operations against the Taliban commander in South Waziristan.