sorcerer
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At least four people were killed Thursday morning in a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan's South Waziristan, media reported.
The attack took place early in the morning when an unmanned U.S. aircraft fired four missiles at a house in Tehsil Bermal area of South Waziristan, Pakistan's restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan, Xinhua reported.
The house was destroyed completely and all four people present inside were killed.
Pakistani media, quoting official sources, reported that an important militant commander, Adil, was among those killed.
The identities of the other three dead are not known yet.
Thursday's U.S. drone strike is the 16th of its kind since the start of this year. To date, at least 117 people have reportedly been killed and 22 others injured in such strikes in Pakistan.
Additionally, Pakistani intelligence officials claimed that a Haqqani Network commander known as Abdullah Haqqani was also among those killed in the strike, Khaama Press reported. Abdullah is said to run suicide bombers into Afghanistan. The Haqqani Network is a Taliban subgroup that is closely allied with al Qaeda, and is also considered by the Pakistani government to be "good Taliban."
Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and other jihadist groups known to operate in the area have not released a statement announcing the death of a senior leader.
South Waziristan is considered to be a sanctuary for local and Al Qaeda-linked insurgents who carry out attacks on both sides of the border. The Pakistani army has carried out a massive operation there but militants still have a presence.
U.S. drone strikes are deeply unpopular in Pakistan, where they are seen as a violation of national sovereignty
and an attack that too often results in the killing and wounding of civilians. Washington has long used them to target militants in areas inaccessible to Pakistan's army.
The covert drone program has been defended by Washington as a way to target militants who threaten the United States from areas where local governments cannot or will not act against them.
The attack took place early in the morning when an unmanned U.S. aircraft fired four missiles at a house in Tehsil Bermal area of South Waziristan, Pakistan's restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan, Xinhua reported.
The house was destroyed completely and all four people present inside were killed.
Pakistani media, quoting official sources, reported that an important militant commander, Adil, was among those killed.
The identities of the other three dead are not known yet.
Thursday's U.S. drone strike is the 16th of its kind since the start of this year. To date, at least 117 people have reportedly been killed and 22 others injured in such strikes in Pakistan.
Additionally, Pakistani intelligence officials claimed that a Haqqani Network commander known as Abdullah Haqqani was also among those killed in the strike, Khaama Press reported. Abdullah is said to run suicide bombers into Afghanistan. The Haqqani Network is a Taliban subgroup that is closely allied with al Qaeda, and is also considered by the Pakistani government to be "good Taliban."
Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and other jihadist groups known to operate in the area have not released a statement announcing the death of a senior leader.
South Waziristan is considered to be a sanctuary for local and Al Qaeda-linked insurgents who carry out attacks on both sides of the border. The Pakistani army has carried out a massive operation there but militants still have a presence.
U.S. drone strikes are deeply unpopular in Pakistan, where they are seen as a violation of national sovereignty
and an attack that too often results in the killing and wounding of civilians. Washington has long used them to target militants in areas inaccessible to Pakistan's army.The covert drone program has been defended by Washington as a way to target militants who threaten the United States from areas where local governments cannot or will not act against them.
