US drone strike kills eight suspected militants in North Waziristan

A compound and a vehicle parked in it were targeted and caught fire immediately after the strike

PESHAWAR: At least eight suspected militants were killed when an unmanned predator drone fired four missiles targeting a compound in Shawal tehsil. area of North Waziristan agency, on Saturday. 

Local sources verified that a compound and a vehicle parked in it were targeted and immediately caught fire after the strike.

Quoting informers, officials in the civil administration said that first two compounds, under occupation of militants were hit by two missiles simultaneously. Two other missiles were subsequently fired at two double-cabin pick ups, when the militants made an attempt to escape.  The missile strikes caused destruction to both the compounds and vehicles.

According to AFP local intelligence authorities said that the militants belonged to the Haqqani network, a feared militant group which targets foreign troops across the border in Afghanistan.

Read: Drone strikes in North Waziristan a clear violation of Pakistan's sovereignty: FO

Local sources added that the number of casualties could increase. Identities of the militants could not be ascertained immediately.

The drone campaign in recent times has been concentrated in the mountains of Shawal, North Waziristan.

It is believed that most of the fleeing militants from the operation are hiding in the areas.

According to reports this was the second drone strike in North Waziristan over a month.

Separately, Pakistan has condemned the previous drone strike that occurred on June 1 in the Spinkai Raghzai area of North Waziristan Agency, and reiterated its call for cessation of such strikes.

Read: US drone strike kills four suspected militants in North Waziristan

A statement issued by Foreign Office says such strikes are in disregard of our territorial sovereignty and international law.

Such events generate distrust among the local populace, added the statement.