Suspected US Drone Strikes Kill 17 in Pakistan

Posted June 6th, 2011 at 8:50 am (UTC-5)
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Pakistani intelligence officials say three U.S. drone strikes have killed at least 17 militants in the country's northwest tribal region.

All of Monday's strikes were in South Waziristan, near the Afghan border. Officials say missiles hit a compound, an Islamic seminary and a vehicle near the main town of Wana. Foreign militants were said to be among those killed.

The attacks come just days after the reported death of al-Qaida operative Ilyas Kashmiri in a U.S. drone strike in the tribal area.

The United States has stepped up the attacks since U.S. special forces killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden on May 2 in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad.

U.S. officials have never publicly acknowledged the use of drones inside Pakistan, but have privately confirmed the strikes to various news outlets.

Pakistani leaders protest the attacks as a violation of the country's sovereignty, but Pakistani intelligence is believed to provide the U.S. information for the strikes.