Drone strike kills four in North Waziristan

Conflicting reports from sources say the targets managed to escape the area before the strike.

PESHAWAR: A US drone strike in the Hasankhel area of North Waziristan killed four people on Sunday.

The US drone fired missiles at a vehicle in Spin Vaam village of Hassan Khel Town. The vehicle caught fire in the attack while four people were also killed.

Local people have been scared by the presence of the predator drones and are avoiding to come out in the open.

Increasing number of attacks

The United States has been increasing attacks, and is reportedly seeking to expand the areas inside Pakistan where Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) drones can operate, The Washington Post reported late Friday.

Citing unnamed US and Pakistani officials, the newspaper said US officials were eyeing areas surrounding the Pakistani city of Quetta, where the Taliban leadership is believed to be hiding.

Pakistan on Saturday said that it would not allow the United States to expand the drone operation on its soil.

“Action against militants in Pakistan’s territory will be carried out by Pakistan and under no circumstances will the drone attacks be allowed to expand,” said Foreign Office spokesperson Abdul Basit.