Drone strikes kill 10 in North Waziristan

At least 10 people were killed in two strikes by US pilot-less drones in North Waziristan.

MIRAMSHAH: At least 10 people were killed in two strikes by US pilot-less drones in the North Waziristan tribal region, as reported by local security officials.

“A US drone fired two missiles on a house used by the militants as a compound. Six militants have been killed and three wounded in this attack,” said a security official in Peshawar.

The compound was located on the outskirts of Miramshah, the main town in the North Waziristan Agency.

The attacks were confirmed by two intelligence officials in Miramshah, who further claimed that the individuals killed were all local militants.

“All those killed were local militants, we have no report about the presence of any ‘high-value’ target,” said the intelligence official.

One of the intelligence officials also said that the compound was completely destroyed. Residents in Miramshah reported that the militants surrounded the house soon after the attacks, and started off with rescue work.

“They have recovered six dead bodies and three injured from the debris,” a local resident informed on the condition of remaining anonymous.

Within hours of the first attack, a US drone targeted a suspected car in Datta Khel, a small town some 30 kilometres east of Miramshah.

“US drones fired three missiles killing at least four militants inside the car,” a security official in Peshawar said on the condition of remaining anonymous.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2010.