Unmanned war: Seven killed in drone strike

The drone launches two missiles killing seven fighters and injuring five others.

MIRANSHAH:

At least seven militants were killed in a US drone strike near the border between North and South Waziristan agencies on Friday.

According to a security official, the drone launched two missiles at a militant compound in the Babar Ghar area of North Waziristan Agency, killing seven fighters, suspected to be of Uzbek origin, and injuring five others. Two of the fighters killed in the militant attack are believed to be al Qaeda affiliates, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added.

Security forces say the compound itself belonged to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).  This was the second drone strike this week. Three TTP militants were killed earlier on Wednesday in a drone strike near the border with Afghanistan in the North Waziristan Agency.

There have been six drone strikes this year so far in both North and South Waziristan agencies. At least 42 militants have been killed, including Taliban commander Mullah Nazir. (WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY OUR CORRESPONDENT IN PESHAWAR)

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9^th, 2013.