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'US strike' kills Taleban leader | 'US strike' kills Taleban leader |
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A suspected US missile strike has killed 20 people, including a top Taleban commander, in north-west Pakistan, witnesses and officials say. | A suspected US missile strike has killed 20 people, including a top Taleban commander, in north-west Pakistan, witnesses and officials say. |
Mohammad Omar was among the dead when the missile, reportedly fired by a pilotless US drone, hit a compound owned by him in South Waziristan. | Mohammad Omar was among the dead when the missile, reportedly fired by a pilotless US drone, hit a compound owned by him in South Waziristan. |
Omar fought with the Taleban in Afghanistan in the late 1990s. | Omar fought with the Taleban in Afghanistan in the late 1990s. |
The US has launched missile strikes against suspected militant targets in the Afghan border region recently. | The US has launched missile strikes against suspected militant targets in the Afghan border region recently. |
The latest strike on Sunday night was launched at a compound owned by Mohammad Omar in Mandatta village in the troubled region of South Waziristan. | The latest strike on Sunday night was launched at a compound owned by Mohammad Omar in Mandatta village in the troubled region of South Waziristan. |
Mohammad Omar was a close associate of the dead Taleban commander Nek Mohammed, who was killed in a suspected US strike in the area four years ago. | Mohammad Omar was a close associate of the dead Taleban commander Nek Mohammed, who was killed in a suspected US strike in the area four years ago. |
Witnesses said that the missile strike completely destroyed Mohammed Omar's house, and partially damaged two neighbouring houses. | Witnesses said that the missile strike completely destroyed Mohammed Omar's house, and partially damaged two neighbouring houses. |
Panic | Panic |
They said locals rushed to the targeted compounds to rescue the inmates and there was panic in the area after the attack. | They said locals rushed to the targeted compounds to rescue the inmates and there was panic in the area after the attack. |
Local officials confirmed that 20 bodies had been dug up from the debris of the compound. | Local officials confirmed that 20 bodies had been dug up from the debris of the compound. |
Two others are reported to have been injured in the attack, they said. | Two others are reported to have been injured in the attack, they said. |
The US has made no comment. | The US has made no comment. |
The attack comes three days after a missile attack in Dande Darpakhel area of North Waziristan area killed seven students of a religious school. | The attack comes three days after a missile attack in Dande Darpakhel area of North Waziristan area killed seven students of a religious school. |
Over a month ago, the US troops conducted a ground operation in the Musa Nikah area of South Waziristan area in which more than 15 people were killed. | Over a month ago, the US troops conducted a ground operation in the Musa Nikah area of South Waziristan area in which more than 15 people were killed. |
In recent weeks the United States has launched many missile strikes against suspected militant targets in the Afghan border region. | In recent weeks the United States has launched many missile strikes against suspected militant targets in the Afghan border region. |
Washington says the strikes are used against militant targets, but correspondents say that intelligence failures have sometimes led to civilian casualties. | Washington says the strikes are used against militant targets, but 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. | 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. |
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". |