Suspected US Drone Strike Kills 4 in NW Pakistan

Posted August 1st, 2011 at 8:45 am (UTC-5)
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Pakistan intelligence officials a U.S. drone strike has killed at least four suspected militants in the country's northwest, along the Afghan border.

The missiles fired from a pilotless aircraft hit a vehicle near Wana, the main town in the South Waziristan tribal region. The area is a known stronghold of Taliban and al-Qaida-linked insurgents.

Monday's drone strike was the first reported in Pakistan's tribal region since July 12.

U.S. officials have never publicly acknowledged the use of such strikes inside Pakistan, but privately they have confirmed their existence to various news outlets. Pakistan has condemned the attacks as a violation of its sovereignty, but the drone strikes are believed to be carried out with the help of Pakistani intelligence.

Elsewhere in Pakistan, police say gunmen set fire to seven tankers carrying fuel to NATO forces in neighboring Afghanistan. Monday's attack took place in the Khairpur district of Sindh province. At least one person was injured in the attack.