Five militants killed in US drone attack in Pakistan

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton talking with Pakistani tribal people during her meeting with them in Islamabad on October 30. Ms. Clinton came face-to-face with Pakistani anger over U.S. aerial drone attacks in tribal areas along the Afghan border, a strategy that U.S. officials say has succeeded in killing key terrorist leaders. Photo: AP.

A US drone today struck a compound used by the Taliban in the restive North Waziristan tribal region killing five militants and injuring three others, as Pakistani troops battled insurgents in their stronghold near the Afghan border.

The drone fired two missiles at a home in Norok village near the key town of Mirali at 1.30 am local time. Reports said the compound, which belonged to a man named Faqir Ali, was being used by the Taliban.

The identity of the militants killed and the presence of any high-profile targets in the compound could not be ascertained.

The attack, which also left three others injured, came after a relative lull in US drone strikes in Pakistan’s tribal belt.

The Pakistan Army is conducting a major ground offensive against the Taliban in their stronghold of South Waziristan and claims it has killed over 370 militants.

Reports also said drones had been hovering over North Waziristan since yesterday, triggering panic among the people.

The US has carried out more than 40 drone attacks in the tribal areas this year.