Suspected U.S. drone strikes kill 15 in Pakistan

[News_Editor]

Suspected U.S. drone strikes kill 15 in Pakistan

2011-01-01 14:02:38 GMT+7 (ICT)

ISLAMABAD (BNO NEWS) -- Three suspected U.S. drone strikes killed at least 15 people in northwest Pakistan on early Saturday morning, local media reported.

Geo Television reported that the strikes were carried out in North Waziristan, where the United States is most active, and targeted two suspected militant hideouts and a vehicle. "At least fifteen suspected militants have been killed and many others injured," an unidentified security official told the news channel.

The region where the strikes were carried out are known to be a stronghold of the Haqqani Network, which is considered one of the top terrorist organizations and threats to U.S. forces in Afghanistan. They are believed to be based in Pakistan's tribal region where access is legally restricted and is considered a dangerous territory.

Few details about the U.S. attacks on New Year's Day were immediately available, although Geo TV said those killed are believed to have been associated with militant commander Hafiz Gul Bahadur.

The U.S. drone campaign in Pakistan is aimed at disrupting al-Qaeda and the Taliban in the border area with Afghanistan, which the United States considers to be the most dangerous place on Earth.

But controversy has surrounded the drone strikes as local residents and officials have blamed them for killing civilians and motivating young men to join the Taliban. In addition, the Pakistani government nor the United Nations support the strikes.

So far this year, the United States has carried out at least three drone attacks inside Pakistani territory. In 2010, officials reported at least 122 U.S. drone attacks, which was more than double than registered in 2009.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-01-01

[moetownblues]

"Pakistani government nor the United Nations support the strikes".

If this is the case why is America attacking pakistani's in Pakistan? where did they get the authority to invade pakistan?

[koheesti]

"Pakistani government nor the United Nations support the strikes".

If this is the case why is America attacking pakistani's in Pakistan? where did they get the authority to invade pakistan?

The article says "suspected". Maybe it was another bomb factory exploding.

btw - what the Pakistan gov't supports in public is different what they support in private. As for the UN, no one really cares what they think.

Edited January 4, 2011 by koheesti