PESHAWAR: Drones Wednesday fired missiles at a compound and vehicle and killed at least eight militants in a tribal area bordering Afghanistan, officials said.
The attack happened in the border village of Lawara Mandi, 60 kilometres west of Miranshah.
"Drones fired two missiles each at a compound and a vehicle and at least eight militants were killed," a senior security official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
"There are two Uzbeks among the dead militants identified so far," the official said, adding that the vehicle was near the compound when missiles hit it.
Security officials in the neighbouring garrison town of Bannu and Miranshah confirmed the drone attack and casualties and said it happened at around 3:30am on Wednesday.
The assault by the military was launched in mid-June after a dramatic attack by militants on Karachi airport, which killed dozens of people and marked the end of a faltering peace process with the Pakistani Taliban.
More than 1,000 militants and 86 soldiers have been killed in the assault so far, according to the military. The area is off-limits to journalists, making it impossible to verify the number and identity the dead independently.
Pakistan routinely protests against drone strikes, which have been targeting militants in the tribal areas since 2004, saying they violate its sovereignty and are counterproductive in the fight against terror.
But most analysts believe the resumption of the drone programme after it was suspended -- reportedly to give Pakistan space for negotiations with the Taliban -- is evidence of collusion between the two countries.
The government and military officials strongly deny this.
The assault has forced more than 800,000 people to flee North Waziristan, with most ending up in the nearby town of Bannu.
There have been fears that many top militants also fled, including fighters from the feared Haqqani network which is blamed for numerous bloody attacks in Afghanistan.
Pakistan condemns US drone strike
Pakistan condemned Wednesday's drone strike in Datta Khel, saying there is no need for such action during the ongoing operation in North Waziristan.
“Pakistan regards such strikes as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The ministry urged a cessation to drone strikes in the country, saying “The Government of Pakistan also believes that with decisive action being taken against terrorist elements in North Waziristan, there is no need for such strikes.”
COMMENTS (6)
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This is excellent stuff. All types of Taliban must get hit from all directions at all times until completely eradicated. Thanks USA and Pak Army.
Good strategy, military shows the green flag to strike and FO shows red flag to protest.
It is better our Foreign Ministry stop dramas which people don't believe. I am retired army officer. When US intelligence locate a target in Pakistan, they immediately inquire with our Army whether any of our security agencies are stationed there. When getting the answer 'no', drone release the missile. This is the procedure.
How a sovereign country have terrorists fighting against the government. Our Army have no guts even to go there and identify the terrorists killed by US drones. People should demand the Army to release the list of names and origin of terrorists killed by them. Why secrecy about the terrorists who are enemies of this nation.
No, No, Nope, No, not buying it. Do not exclude Haqqani Network. Or US will use drones. No safe havens for Haqqanis. Very simple. North Waziristan has to be cleared of ALL terrorists.
“Pakistan regards such strikes as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity,”
Sovereignty requires more than rhetoric - you have never controlled N Waziristan and despite your current military efforts still don't control it. Like it or not militants have been using N Waziristan as a base to operate out of for more than a decade - those militants have been attacking USA forces which gives them every right to attack them in N Waziristan.
American Drones together with brave Pakistan Air Force F-16s & JF-17(Chinese stuff) from the air & our brave soldiers on ground are killing countless Taliban. Thanks God Imran Khan & TUQ are supporting brave Pakistan Army for the common US & Pakistani Jihad against the Taliban. This is not only good Jihad for the survival of Pakistan but also our ticket to be exempted from international isolation. Convergence of our foreign policy with the US is a major challenge for our great Army & they are up to it. Yesterday in Pashtu language speach Karzai appreciated Zardari & Nawaz for their desire to have peace in the region but blamed US & without naming directly Pak Army for the war in the region. But he said both US & Pak Army have different objectives in war in Afghanistan suiting their national interest. It looks like the convergence between US & Pak Army policies in the region is not far away. Well done Pak Army. You deserve to be our rule Pakistan.