Targeted: 24 militants killed in Datta Khel drone strikes

Deceased include 18 foreign militants.

BANNU:

A US drone strike on Wednesday killed at least 24 suspected terrorists, including 18 foreign militants, in an alleged militant compound in North Waziristan, where the army’s offensive targeting militant hideouts is under way.

“US drones fired four missiles targeting at a militant compound in Zoi Saidgai area, killing at least 24 insurgents, mostly Uzbeks,” confirmed a senior security official in Miramshah, the main town of North Waziristan. At least seven others were injured and a car outside the compound was also destroyed, he added.

He said that more than three drones were spotted hovering in the area. Another official said the attack took place around 2am while an important meeting was going on in the compound.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told Reuters the Pakistani military had no confirmation there had been a US drone strike.

Earlier, on July 10, a drone strike in Datta Khel killed seven people and injured three others.

Jets and artillery began hitting militant targets on June 15 to try to regain full control of the region and ground forces moved in on June 30. More than 400 militants and 25 soldiers have been killed so far, according to the Pakistan Army.  (With additional input from Reuters)

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2014.