Drone attack: 9 suspected militants killed in North Waziristan

Local sources, intelligence agencies say those dead were ‘not residents’ of the area.

PESHAWAR: At least 9 suspected militants were killed when an unmanned US predator drone targeted a house in North Waziristan Agency, early Wednesday morning, officials said.

The missiles were fired at a house in the Spalga area some 12km from Miranshah, said an official. “At least nine militants were killed,” he said, adding that the building was completely destroyed.

Local sources told The Express Tribune that at around 6:50am, a huge explosion was heard. They said that those killed were “not residents” of the area. The view was shared by intelligence officials who said that there was a possibility that the men killed were from Punjab. However, there was no independent or immediate confirmation about the identities of those killed.

The strike, fifth this year, comes amid reports in the international media that the US is considering a formal apology over the Salala check-post attack that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.