Miranshah, March 17: Two missile strikes by pilotless US drone aircraft killed at least six militants in Pakistan’s North Waziristan, a major Al Qaeda and Taleban sanctuary, intelligence officials and residents said.
The first strike, made up of five missiles, targeted a militant compound and a vehicle in Mazoni village, about 10 km (6 miles) west of North Waziristan’s main town of Miranshah.
Two missiles were fired into Datta Kheil area, 40 km (25 miles) west of Miranshah.
‘The death toll may rise, but so far we have information that six militants are killed in both incidents,’ an intelligence official in Miranshah said.
US officials say the pilotless drones are one of the most effective weapons against militants. The strikes have killed senior Taleban and Al Qaeda figures.
But they have caused resentment in US ally Pakistan, where anti-American feeling runs high. The Pakistani government wants the Americans to provide them with drone technology so the country’s military can carry out its own strikes.
–Agencies