At least 10 militants were killed in two attacks by unmanned aircraft in Pakistan’s tribal region along the Afghan border on Wednesday, security officials said.
Both airstrikes took place in North Waziristan district, known to be used by Taliban and al—Qaeda fighters to launch cross—border raids on international troops in Afghanistan.
In the first attack, a U.S. drone targeted a mud compound believed to be a hideout of militants in Daande Darpakhel village around 10:15 am (0415 GMT).
“According to the reports we have received, six militants were killed and several injured,” said an intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The official said the compound belonged to Maulvi Azizullah, a member of the Haqqani network, and was used as an office for the Taliban.
The Haqqani network is led by Afghan warlord Sirajuddin Haqqani and is believed to have been behind dozens of deadly attacks in Afghanistan.
Another drone fired two missiles at a vehicle carrying four people in Datta Khel village, a few kilometres from the Afghan border, two hours after the first attack.
“Three people died on the spot while one succumbed to his injuries at the hospital,” said a second intelligence official. “They were from the Haqqani network.” He said most of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition. Local Taliban surrounded the area after attack, and later took the remains to an undisclosed location for burial.
The airstrikes were the fifth and sixth in less than a week.
Pakistan has criticised the air attacks publicly, saying innocent people are killed, but it is widely believed that its intelligence agencies are secretly helping to identify the targets.
The U.S. has increased drone attack against militants who have launched a new wave of violence in Pakistan after a brief lull when worst floods hit Pakistan, displacing over 18 million people.
At least 21 people, including women and children, were killed on Tuesday by a car bomb in a residential area for police officials and their families in the north—western district of Kohat.
