US drone attack kills 9 in Pakistan's tribal region
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Jan 30, IRNA -- A US drone strike has killed at least nine people in Pakistan 's North Waziristan tribal region, officials said.
It is 9th U.S. drone strike in Waziristan region this month.
Local officials said that the late Friday night attack hit a house and a vehicle of suspected militants in Muhammad Khel. He confirmed that five people were killed.
The official said that three missiles were fired at the compound believed to be used by Haqqani network.
The U.S. says Haqqani network, is run by Sirajuddin known as Khalifia, the son of former Taliban minister Jalauddin Haqqani, and plan attacks in Afghanistan on U.S.-led NATO forces.
Pakistan opposes U.S. drone strikes in its territory but Washington says it is effective to eliminate Taliban and al-Qaeda remnants, hiding in the tribal regions.
A U.S. drone strike killed leader of his faction of Taliban, Haji Umar Khan, in North Waziristan, late last month.
Last week another attack killed at least five suspected militants at a center in the same region.
Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud escaped unhurt in a U.S. missile strike earlier this month. There had been strong rumours of his death but later he released an audio message saying he is alive.
Pakistan seeks U.S. drones and defence secretary Robert Gates said this month in Islamabad that a dozen small drones will be provided to Pakistan .
End News / IRNA / News Code 928428
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