At least 12 killed in U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan's North Waziristan

[News_Editor]

At least 12 killed in U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan's North Waziristan

2010-11-04 01:47:47 GMT+7 (ICT)

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- At least 12 people were killed after three suspected U.S. drone strikes on Wednesday hit the northwestern tribal region of Pakistan.

Two missiles hit a vehicle in the Qutab Khel suburb of Miramnshah, the main town in the North Waziristan district, considered Pakistan's premier fortress of militants and the recent target of increased in U.S. drone strikes.

According to security officials, four suspected militants, who are believed to have been linked with the Haqqani network of the Taliban, were inside the vehicle and killed. A nearby residential house was also damaged during the attack.

The vehicle immediately caught fire as another security official said the vehicle was packed with arms and ammunition. However, local residents said their identities were uncertain and could have been local tribal members as their bodies were completely burnt.

Two more air strikes targeted killed eight suspected militants, four in each of the strikes. Another vehicle within the same region was targeted.

Miramnshah is near the Afghan border and is located in the region where U.S. officials have constantly targeted suspected militant groups believed to be conducting attacks on U.S. and foreign troops.

Pakistan has protested the recent strikes in the region with over 30 air strikes occurring in the past two months. Since September 3, over 150 people have been killed in drone strikes.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-11-04

[hobanse]

US Killed 700 Civilians in Pakistan Drone Strikes in 2009

Much has been made of the successes, but while the strikes have been regular and they almost always are presented by Pakistan’s intelligence community as having killed “suspects,” the actual successes are few and far between, with only five confirmed kills of real militant leaders, and a handful of unconfirmed claims that usually haven’t panned out.The vast majority of the deaths, around 700 according to one estimate, have been innocent civilians. With such a massive civilian toll and so little to show for it, it is no wonder that Pakistani people have been up in arms over the continued strikes.

http://news.antiwar.com/2010/01/02/us-killed-700-civilians-in-pakistan-drone-strikes-in-2009/