Suspected US missile strikes kill 21 in Pakistan

Jun 6, 2011, 13:40 GMT

Islamabad - At least 21 people were killed Monday in three separate suspected US drone attacks in the South Waziristan tribal district of Pakistan's troubled north-west, officials said.

The latest strike targeted a vehicle in the Shawal area on the Afghan border, 45 kilometres west of the district's main town of Wana. It is considered a stronghold of militant commander Maulvi Nazir, who has signed a peace deal with the government.

An official said on condition of anonymity that 'five people travelling in the vehicle were killed' and their vehicle destroyed.

He said three drones were still flying over the areas, creating panic among the locals who were reluctant to go near the attack site, fearing that they might strike again.

Earlier, two attacks were carried out in Dana village in the Barmal area, targeting two mountain hideouts of alleged militants.

'We have been informed that 16 people have been killed in the two strikes,' an intelligence official said on condition of anonymity.

Another security official said the victims included Punjabi Taliban of the Maulvi Nazir group and some foreigners.

It was the second major strike in the area after the killing of senior al-Qaeda operative Ilyas Kashmiri on Friday in a similar fashion.

Pakistan has criticised the attacks for heightening anti-US feelings, but it is widely believed that the national intelligence agencies help to identify targets.

Dawn newspaper reported Monday that Islamabad also helped to locate Kashmiri, who was wanted by Pakistan, the US and India on terrorism charges.

The latest drone strikes occurred hours after a suicide bomber attacked an army-run bakery in the garrison town of Nowshera in the north-west, killing at least 18 people.

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