This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7847423.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Deadly missiles strike Pakistan | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Two missile attacks from suspected US drones have killed 14 people in north-western Pakistan, officials 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 been reported in South Waziristan, killing five people. | |
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. | 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. | 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 aimed at the house of a Taleban commander about 10km (six miles) from the town of Wanna, local reports said. | |
But officials told the BBC that the drone actually hit the house of a pro-government tribal leader, killing him and four members of his family. | |
More than 20 attacks have been carried out from drones on targets in north-western Pakistan in recent months, sparking protests from Pakistan's government. | |
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. |