Drone strikes killed 500 militants: report

WAZIRISTAN: US estimates showed that CIA drone strikes in Pakistan's tribal areas over the last two years have killed more than 500 militants.

Quoting unnamed officials, Reuters said that a fraction of the killed militants were considered to be top-tier leaders. But the numbers also show that the vast majority of the 500 killed were lower-level fighters.

The total death of civilians in the attacks was fewer than 30 civilians.

However, tallies by other organizations suggest that the death toll since mid 2008 was significantly higher than 500.

A Reuters count showed nearly 850 people killed in at least 110 strikes since 2008.