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US drone strike kills militants near Pakistan-Afghanistan border US drone strike kills militants near Pakistan-Afghanistan border
(about 1 hour later)
A US drone strike has killed at least four militants in Pakistan’s restive tribal region near the Afghan border, according to security officials.A US drone strike has killed at least four militants in Pakistan’s restive tribal region near the Afghan border, according to security officials.
The attack happened early on Thursday in Nargas, a village in the South Waziristan tribal region, which is considered a stronghold of Taliban militants. The attack happened early on Thursday in Nargas, a village in the South Waziristan, which is considered a stronghold of Taliban militants.
“Up to four missiles were filed targeting a militant compound, killing four rebels,” a senior security official said. Another security official confirmed the attack and casualties and said that all the militants killed in the strike were foreigners. “We are currently ascertaining their nationalities,” he added. “Up to four missiles were filed targeting a militant compound, killing four rebels,” a senior security official said. Another security official confirmed the attack and casualties and said that all the militants killed in the strike were foreign nationals. “We are currently ascertaining their nationalities,” he added.
The area is off-limits to journalists, making it impossible to independently verify the number and identity of the dead.The area is off-limits to journalists, making it impossible to independently verify the number and identity of the dead.
South Waziristan is one of the seven lawless tribal districts of Pakistan that border Afghanistan and have for years been a hideout for Islamist militants of all stripes including al-Qaida and the homegrown Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as well as foreign fighters such as Uzbeks and Uighurs. South Waziristan is one of the seven lawless tribal districts of Pakistan that border Afghanistan, and have for years been a hideout for Islamist militants including members of al-Qaida and the homegrown Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as well as foreign fighters such as Uzbeks and Uighurs.
Washington has pressed Islamabad for years to wipe out the sanctuaries in the North Waziristan tribal area, which militants have used to launch attacks on Nato forces in Afghanistan. Washington has pressed Islamabad for years to wipe out the sanctuaries in these tribal areas, which militants have used to launch attacks on Nato forces in Afghanistan.
The Pakistani military launched a major offensive in North Waziristan in June and say they have killed more than 1,000 militants so far, at the cost of 86 soldiers’ lives. The Pakistan launched a large military offensive in North Waziristan. The Pakistani military says more than 1,000 militants have been killed so far, at the cost of 86 soldiers’ lives.
Pakistan routinely makes public protests against US drone strikes, which have been targeting militants in the tribal areas since 2004, saying they violate its sovereignty and are counterproductive in the fight against terror.Pakistan routinely makes public protests against US drone strikes, which have been targeting militants in the tribal areas since 2004, saying they violate its sovereignty and are counterproductive in the fight against terror.
Analysts say the resumption of the drone programme after it was suspended – reportedly to give Pakistan space for negotiations with the Taliban – is evidence of collusion between the two countries. Analysts say the resumption of the drone programme after it was suspended – reportedly to give Islamabad space for negotiations with the Taliban – is evidence of collusion between the Pakistan and the US.
The Islamabad government and military officials strongly deny this. Pakistani government and military officials deny this.