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'US missile strikes' hit Pakistan | 'US missile strikes' hit Pakistan |
(about 6 hours later) | |
At least 18 people are reported dead in a suspected US drone attack near the Afghan border in north-west Pakistan. | |
Two missiles fired by the drone struck the home of a local tribesman in the Kurram tribal region, officials say. | Two missiles fired by the drone struck the home of a local tribesman in the Kurram tribal region, officials say. |
The building was being used as a Taleban recruitment office, officials told the BBC. | The building was being used as a Taleban recruitment office, officials told the BBC. |
The US has launched many similar attacks in recent months, mostly targeting Taleban and al-Qaeda militants in Pakistan's tribal regions. | The US has launched many similar attacks in recent months, mostly targeting Taleban and al-Qaeda militants in Pakistan's tribal regions. |
Local administration officials told the BBC the home was being used by the organisation of Taleban leader Baitullah Mehsud. | Local administration officials told the BBC the home was being used by the organisation of Taleban leader Baitullah Mehsud. |
The Pakistani government has not yet commented on the incident. | The Pakistani government has not yet commented on the incident. |
The attack took place in the Sarpul area of Kurram, about 15km (nine miles) from the border with Afghanistan's Khost province. | |
Serious differences | Serious differences |
"Smoke can be seen over the area where the missiles struck," a security official told Reuters news agency. | "Smoke can be seen over the area where the missiles struck," a security official told Reuters news agency. |
The official said that the "Afghan Taleban were holding an important meeting there when the missiles were fired". | |
The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says the strike is the first to target the Taleban in the Kurram tribal region. | The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says the strike is the first to target the Taleban in the Kurram tribal region. |
The area has been the scene of an ongoing sectarian war between Sunni Taleban militants and local Shia militias. | The area has been the scene of an ongoing sectarian war between Sunni Taleban militants and local Shia militias. |
The strike is also the second to target Baitullah Mehsud's organisation in as many days. | The strike is also the second to target Baitullah Mehsud's organisation in as many days. |
On Saturday, two missiles destroyed a house near the Afghan border reportedly being used as a meeting place by his men. | On Saturday, two missiles destroyed a house near the Afghan border reportedly being used as a meeting place by his men. |
At least 28 militants, including foreign fighters, were killed in that attack. | At least 28 militants, including foreign fighters, were killed in that attack. |
Kurram, which is less than 100km from the Afghan capital, Kabul, served as the most important launching pad for the Afghan mujahideen during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s. | |
Last month, suspected US missile strikes killed at least 25 militants close to the Afghan border. | Last month, suspected US missile strikes killed at least 25 militants close to the Afghan border. |
More than 20 attacks have been carried out from drones on targets in north-western Pakistan in recent months. | More than 20 attacks have been carried out from drones on targets in north-western Pakistan in recent months. |
The US and Pakistan have had serious disagreements over the Afghan border zone, with Washington unhappy at Pakistani efforts to tackle militants and Islamabad condemning the US drone attacks. | The US and Pakistan have had serious disagreements over the Afghan border zone, with Washington unhappy at Pakistani efforts to tackle militants and Islamabad condemning the US drone attacks. |
Pakistani leaders had expressed hope that the new US administration would halt the controversial air strikes, saying they fuelled public anger and complicated Pakistan's own counter-insurgency efforts. | Pakistani leaders had expressed hope that the new US administration would halt the controversial air strikes, saying they fuelled public anger and complicated Pakistan's own counter-insurgency efforts. |
But the drone attacks have continued since Barack Obama was inaugurated as US president last month. | But the drone attacks have continued since Barack Obama was inaugurated as US president last month. |