Islamabad, Jan 24: With the recovery of six more
bodies from the rubble of a house hit by a missile, the death
toll in the twin strikes by suspected US unmanned drones in
Pakistan`s northwest tribal belt climbed to 21 on Saturday.
This is probably the highest toll claimed by predator
strikes in Pakistan`s troubled North and South Waziristan and
most of those killed are suspected to be foreign militants.
On Friday, officials said, 15 people were killed in two
missile attacks on different villages in the region.
In the first strike on the home of a pro-Taliban
tribesman in a village near Mir Ali in North Waziristan, some
foreigners were believed to be have been killed.
In the second incident, a drone fired at least two
missiles in Gangikhel area of South Waziristan Agency, killing
seven persons, including three children.
Pakistan`s restive tribal belt has witnessed a wave of
missile strikes since mid-2008 though these were the first
such attacks since the new administration of US President
Barack Obama assumed office in Washington.
Bureau Report
