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'US missiles' hit Pakistan school | 'US missiles' hit Pakistan school |
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Missiles thought to have been fired by the US have killed at least seven students of a religious school in north-western Pakistan, witnesses say. | Missiles thought to have been fired by the US have killed at least seven students of a religious school in north-western Pakistan, witnesses say. |
The school, in North Waziristan, is close to the residence of a fugitive Taleban leader, Jalaluddin Haqqani, witnesses told the BBC Urdu Service. | The school, in North Waziristan, is close to the residence of a fugitive Taleban leader, Jalaluddin Haqqani, witnesses told the BBC Urdu Service. |
At least two missiles, reportedly fired by pilotless US drones, hit the school early on Thursday. | At least two missiles, reportedly fired by pilotless US drones, hit the school early on Thursday. |
The Pakistani army is investigating the incident. The US has made no comment. | The Pakistani army is investigating the incident. The US has made no comment. |
The latest missile attack comes hours after the Pakistani parliament unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the government to defend its sovereignty and expel foreign fighters from the region. | The latest missile attack comes hours after the Pakistani parliament unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the government to defend its sovereignty and expel foreign fighters from the region. |
The resolution also called upon the government to prevent the use of Pakistani territory for attacks on another country. | The resolution also called upon the government to prevent the use of Pakistani territory for attacks on another country. |
Growing tension | Growing tension |
Witnesses told the BBC that the missiles destroyed nearly half of the school building in the Dande Darpakhel area near Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan. | |
At least six people were injured in the attack. It is still not clear whether there were any foreign fighters among the dead students. | At least six people were injured in the attack. It is still not clear whether there were any foreign fighters among the dead students. |
Local people have said that most of the injured were local students at the seminary. | Local people have said that most of the injured were local students at the seminary. |
The residential complex of Jalaluddin Haqqani had been targeted by a previous missile attack, in which more than 10 people had been killed or injured. | The residential complex of Jalaluddin Haqqani had been targeted by a previous missile attack, in which more than 10 people had been killed or injured. |
North Waziristan is known as a haven for Taleban and al-Qaeda fighters seeking sanctuary from fighting in Afghanistan. | North Waziristan is known as a haven for Taleban and al-Qaeda fighters seeking sanctuary from fighting in Afghanistan. |
Foreign fighters from Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and the Middle East are all thought to be based there. | Foreign fighters from Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and the Middle East are all thought to be based there. |
Tensions in the border region are rising | Tensions in the border region are rising |
In recent weeks the United States has launched several missile strikes against suspected militant targets in the Afghan border region. | In recent weeks the United States has launched several missile strikes against suspected militant targets in the Afghan border region. |
Washington says the strikes are used against militant targets, correspondents say that intelligence failures have sometimes led to civilian casualties. | Washington says the strikes are used against militant targets, correspondents say that intelligence failures have sometimes led to civilian casualties. |
Figures compiled by the BBC Urdu service show that some 80 people have been killed in a number of suspected US missile strikes in South and North Waziristan region over the past month. | |
Earlier in October a suspected pilotless American drone fired missiles in North Waziristan, killing at least six people, Pakistani intelligence officials said. | Earlier in October a suspected pilotless American drone fired missiles in North Waziristan, killing at least six people, Pakistani intelligence officials said. |
The United States rarely confirms or denies such attacks. | The United States rarely confirms or denies such attacks. |
Tensions between the US and Pakistan have increased over the issue of cross-border incursions against militants by American forces based in Afghanistan. | Tensions between the US and Pakistan have increased over the issue of cross-border incursions against militants by American forces based in Afghanistan. |
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has said he will not tolerate violations of his country's territory. | Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has said he will not tolerate violations of his country's territory. |
The US state department has affirmed "its support for Pakistan's sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity". | The US state department has affirmed "its support for Pakistan's sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity". |