• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

U.S. drone strike kills 10 militants in Pakistan

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, May 28, IRNA -- A suspected U.S. drone aircraft Friday killed at least 10 militants in Pakistan’s South Waziristan tribal region, locals said.

They said drone struck a meeting of the militants at Newzy Narai area, some 20 kilometers south of Wana, the center of South Waziristan. A local Taliban commander Khitab was among those killed, tribesmen said. The area is controlled by Mulla Nazir, who is leading a splinter group of Taliban in area of Wazir tribe.

Mulla Nazir did not support Taliban group led by Hakimullah Mehsood, when thousands of security forces launched major air and ground offensive operation in October last year.

Army says that Taliban militants loyal to Hakimulah have been either killed or expelled from South Waziristan. But it is believed that the militants are still hiding in mountainous areas in South Waziristan.

Locals say that the Friday’s attack in South Waziristan is the first in nine months as the U.S. have stepped up attacks in North Waziristan, still controlled by Taliban.

The U.S. has increased attacks in North Waziristan since December when a Jordanian bomber struck CIA center at the Khost province in Afghanistan. The bomber appeared in a video along with Hakimullah Mehsood.

Pakistan publicly opposes drone strikes but the U.S. has rejected Islamabad's calls for a halt. American officials say attacks from drones aircraft is a successful operation to eliminate remnants of al-Qaida and its Taliban supporters, who are believed to be planning attacks in th Pakistani Wazitistan region.