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| Pakistan drone attack kills nine | Pakistan drone attack kills nine |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A suspected US drone missile attack has killed nine people in north-western Pakistan, local witnesses say. | A suspected US drone missile attack has killed nine people in north-western Pakistan, local witnesses say. |
| At least one missile hit a house in a village near the town of Mirali in North Waziristan, a stronghold of al-Qaeda and Taleban militants. | At least one missile hit a house in a village near the town of Mirali in North Waziristan, a stronghold of al-Qaeda and Taleban militants. |
| A second suspected drone attack has now been reported in South Waziristan but there is no word on casualties. | |
| Pakistan has long argued that such strikes are counter-productive and are a violation of its sovereignty. | Pakistan has long argued that such strikes are counter-productive and are a violation of its sovereignty. |
| These are the first drone attacks since Barack Obama was inaugurated as US president on Tuesday. | |
| Meanwhile, two security personnel were killed when a suicide bomber rammed his vehicle into a military checkpoint in the Fizzagat area of the Swat Valley in north-western Pakistan. | Meanwhile, two security personnel were killed when a suicide bomber rammed his vehicle into a military checkpoint in the Fizzagat area of the Swat Valley in north-western Pakistan. |
| Swat plays host to frequent battles between the Pakistani army and Islamic militants trying to enforce a strict form of Islamic law set down by Mullah Fazlullah, a radical cleric. | Swat plays host to frequent battles between the Pakistani army and Islamic militants trying to enforce a strict form of Islamic law set down by Mullah Fazlullah, a radical cleric. |
| 'Militants killed' | 'Militants killed' |
| The first drone attack struck a house owned by a man called Khalil Khan in the village of Zeerakai at 1700 local time. | |
| Four Arab militants were killed in the strikes, officials said. Their identities were not immediately clear but officials said one was a senior al-Qaeda operative. | Four Arab militants were killed in the strikes, officials said. Their identities were not immediately clear but officials said one was a senior al-Qaeda operative. |
| The second attack was on the house of a Taleban commander about 10km from the town of Wanna, local reports said. | |
| There have been more than 20 attacks carried out from drones on targets in north-western Pakistan in recent months, sparking protests from Pakistan's government against US policy in the region. | There have been more than 20 attacks carried out from drones on targets in north-western Pakistan in recent months, sparking protests from Pakistan's government against US policy in the region. |
| On Thursday, President Obama appointed Richard Holbrooke as special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, having promised that his administration would continue to tackle the threats posed by extremists in both countries. | On Thursday, President Obama appointed Richard Holbrooke as special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, having promised that his administration would continue to tackle the threats posed by extremists in both countries. |
| Earlier on Friday, a roadside bomb exploded on the outskirts of Mingora town as a security patrol was passing. | Earlier on Friday, a roadside bomb exploded on the outskirts of Mingora town as a security patrol was passing. |
| Eyewitnesses said the security forces opened fire and killed three passers-by, but the security forces denied being responsible for the deaths. | Eyewitnesses said the security forces opened fire and killed three passers-by, but the security forces denied being responsible for the deaths. |