US Missiles Kill 29 In Pakistan
Pakistan: Suspected US Missiles 'Kill Al Qaeda Agents' Near Afghan Border | World News | Sky News
Suspected American missiles have killed 29 people after they slammed into two Pakistani villages close to the Afghan border, intelligence officials have claimed.
US forces in Afghanistan are thought to be mounting attacks in Pakistan
Several foreign militants were thought to be among the dead.
Washington has allegedly launched at least 17 missile strikes inside northwestern Pakistan since August.
The attacks are straining seven-year alliance with American and the nuclear-armed nation at a time of soaring violence and mounting economic problems.
The US is frustrated at what it claims to be Islamabad inaction against extremists blamed for planning attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
US drones 'are used in attacks'
There were unconfirmed reports that Iraqi al Qaeda member Abu Kasha Iraqi was killed in one of the latest strikes.
Two Pakistani intelligence officials said he had been living in the country's border region for years and was involved in organising attacks on foreign forces in neighbouring Afghanistan.
Other reports said Egyptian al Qaeda operative Abu Jihad al Masri, who has appeared in some of the terror network's videos, was killed.
The United States had offered a $1m reward for his death or capture.
Scores of foreign al Qaeda members are believed to be based in the lawless border area, which is considered a likely hiding place for Osama bin Laden.
The United States rarely confirms or denies firing the missiles - which are launched from unmanned planes.
People living in the area frequently claim civilians, sometimes women and children, are among the dead.
Pakistan has said the strikes are violations of its sovereignty and insists it is tackling the militants.
It pointed out an ongoing military offensive just north of Waziristan that has killed some 1,500 insurgents.
Pakistan: Suspected US Missiles 'Kill Al Qaeda Agents' Near Afghan Border | World News | Sky News
Suspected American missiles have killed 29 people after they slammed into two Pakistani villages close to the Afghan border, intelligence officials have claimed.
US forces in Afghanistan are thought to be mounting attacks in Pakistan
Several foreign militants were thought to be among the dead.
Washington has allegedly launched at least 17 missile strikes inside northwestern Pakistan since August.
The attacks are straining seven-year alliance with American and the nuclear-armed nation at a time of soaring violence and mounting economic problems.
The US is frustrated at what it claims to be Islamabad inaction against extremists blamed for planning attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
US drones 'are used in attacks'
There were unconfirmed reports that Iraqi al Qaeda member Abu Kasha Iraqi was killed in one of the latest strikes.
Two Pakistani intelligence officials said he had been living in the country's border region for years and was involved in organising attacks on foreign forces in neighbouring Afghanistan.
Other reports said Egyptian al Qaeda operative Abu Jihad al Masri, who has appeared in some of the terror network's videos, was killed.
The United States had offered a $1m reward for his death or capture.
Scores of foreign al Qaeda members are believed to be based in the lawless border area, which is considered a likely hiding place for Osama bin Laden.
The United States rarely confirms or denies firing the missiles - which are launched from unmanned planes.
People living in the area frequently claim civilians, sometimes women and children, are among the dead.
Pakistan has said the strikes are violations of its sovereignty and insists it is tackling the militants.
It pointed out an ongoing military offensive just north of Waziristan that has killed some 1,500 insurgents.
