MIRANSHAH – A US drone missile strike killed at least 38 militants in the Datta Khel region of North Waziristan. There were conflicting accounts about the target of the attack. The area is a stronghold of Hafiz Gul Bahadur, a Taliban commander.
One official said the missiles targeted a house as elders loyal to Bahadur were trying to mediate between two warring militant groups inside. Another official said the drone attacked a vehicle in the area that was passing by a house where some local tribesmen were holding a meeting, killing them.
“Eight people were immediately killed while another 17 died of their wounds later, raising the toll to 25,” another official said. It was not immediately known if those in the vehicle were also hit.
