Security
Pakistan: Militants killed in drone strike in northwest
Wana, 5 Nov. (AKI) - Several suspected militants were killed on Thursday in a US drone missile strike in Pakistan's northwestern tribal area of North Waziristan, security officials said. At least seven suspected insurgents died and four others were wounded on Thursday in the ongoing military offensive in neighbouring South Waziristan.
The alleged US drone attack took place in Norak village, about 18 kilometres from Miranshah, the province's main town.
Two missiles targeted the compound of local tribesman Musharraf Gul, officials said.
Washington claims extremist fighters are hiding out in the area and planning attacks on Western troops stationed in neighbouring Afghanistan.
It has launched an increasing number of drone attacks on suspected militants in Pakistan's restive northwest this year - a total of 44 compared with 32 in 2008.
Hundreds of militants and civilians have been killed in attacks by unmanned drones in the region in the past year.
Meanwhile, fierce skirmishes were reported on Thursday in the Makeen, Ladha and Aasman Minza areas of South Waziristan, according to military intelligence sources.
The military offensive to route Pakistani Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters hiding out in the area is now in its third week.
Security forces were reported to have deployed fighter jets to carry out air strikes, as well as helicopter gunships against suspected extremists.
Hundreds of militants are reported to have been seeking refuge in separate parts of the Kurram and Orakzai tribal areas bordering Afghanistan and in other areas of South Waziristan in the past 24 hours since Pakistani troops entered the militant stronghold of Ladha.
Pakistani security forces have closed a tunnel road linking Kurram and South Waziristan to prevent any more suspected militants fleeing the battle zone, according to military intelligence sources.
Military officials said 30 insurgents were reported killed during last 24 hours.
The military claims to have killed more than 390 militants since the operation began on 17 October, with 45 troops losing their lives. A total 30,000 troops have been deployed in the offensive.
The long-anticipated assault on South Waziristan came after a spring offensive against Islamist militants in and around the troubled northwestern Swat valley, which the government declared a success in July.
The alleged US drone attack took place in Norak village, about 18 kilometres from Miranshah, the province's main town.
Two missiles targeted the compound of local tribesman Musharraf Gul, officials said.
Washington claims extremist fighters are hiding out in the area and planning attacks on Western troops stationed in neighbouring Afghanistan.
It has launched an increasing number of drone attacks on suspected militants in Pakistan's restive northwest this year - a total of 44 compared with 32 in 2008.
Hundreds of militants and civilians have been killed in attacks by unmanned drones in the region in the past year.
Meanwhile, fierce skirmishes were reported on Thursday in the Makeen, Ladha and Aasman Minza areas of South Waziristan, according to military intelligence sources.
The military offensive to route Pakistani Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters hiding out in the area is now in its third week.
Security forces were reported to have deployed fighter jets to carry out air strikes, as well as helicopter gunships against suspected extremists.
Hundreds of militants are reported to have been seeking refuge in separate parts of the Kurram and Orakzai tribal areas bordering Afghanistan and in other areas of South Waziristan in the past 24 hours since Pakistani troops entered the militant stronghold of Ladha.
Pakistani security forces have closed a tunnel road linking Kurram and South Waziristan to prevent any more suspected militants fleeing the battle zone, according to military intelligence sources.
Military officials said 30 insurgents were reported killed during last 24 hours.
The military claims to have killed more than 390 militants since the operation began on 17 October, with 45 troops losing their lives. A total 30,000 troops have been deployed in the offensive.
The long-anticipated assault on South Waziristan came after a spring offensive against Islamist militants in and around the troubled northwestern Swat valley, which the government declared a success in July.
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