US drone strike kills 15 in North Waziristan
This is the fifth drone strike since the US resumed its drone programme in Pakistan in June.
NORTH WAZIRISTAN (Web Desk) - At least fifteen people were killed in a drone strike near Pak-Afghan border in Datta Khel area of North Waziristan, Dunya News reported on Wednesday.
The drone fired four missiles targeting a house and a car.
According to sources, the death toll is feared to rise.
Five drones are still flying over the Datta Khel area, hampering the relief activities underway in the area, the sources added.
This is the fourth drone strike since the US resumed its drone programme in Pakistan following the Karachi attack.
Last Thursday, six people were killed in a drone strike in Doga Madakhel area of North Waziristan. the drone fired two missiles on a house. It has been learnt that Doga Madakhel has not been cleared of terrorists so far.
The Government of Pakistan condemned the drone strike that took place in North Waziristan on Thursday morning.
“As has been made clear on earlier occasions, Pakistan considers such strikes as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Foreign Office stated.
The ministry further said that these strikes have a negative impact on the government’s efforts to bring peace and stability in Pakistan and the region.
Earlier in June, two drone attacks were carried out in Dargah Mandi area of North Waziristan, killing 16 militants.
Washington reportedly suspended its drone programme in December to give Islamabad time to pursue a dialogue process with the Pakistani Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) aimed at ending a seven-year insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives.
However the peace process was shattered when the Taliban launched an attack on the airport in Karachi on June 9 that left dozens dead.
