*Two Uzbek terrorists reportedly killed in strikes after drone fires four missiles at a compound in Alwara Mandi area of Dattakhel tehsil
*Pakistan Army airstrikes kill six terrorists in Khyber Agency
At least eight people were killed and several others injured in a US drone strike in the Dattakhel tehsil of North Waziristan Agency on Wednesday.
Intelligence sources said that a US drone fired four missiles and completely destroyed a compound and a vehicle in the Alwara Mandi area of Dattakhel, about 60 kilometres from the main town of Miranshah.
There were varying reports as to the exact number of people killed in the drone strike.
“There are two Uzbeks among the dead militants identified so far,” foreign news agency AFP quoted a senior security official. He said the vehicle was near the compound when missiles hit it around 3:30am.
AFP put the death toll at eight, while AP said as many as 10 suspected militants were killed in the drone strike.
The area is off-limits to journalists, making it impossible to verify the exact number and identity the dead independently.
Pakistan military’s Operation Zarb-e-Azb is also in progress by the Pakistan Army in the area. More than 1,000 militants and 86 soldiers have been killed in the assault so far, according to the military.
FO CONDEMNS ATTACK:
While strongly condemning the US strike in Dattakhel, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said, “With decisive action being taken against terrorist elements in North Waziristan, there is no need for such strikes.”
“We, therefore, urge US for a cessation of such strikes,” the FO spokesperson said in a statement issued in Islamabad.
The spokesperson said Pakistan regards such strikes as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
KHYBER AIRSTRIKES:
Meanwhile, security forces killed six militants in air strikes in Khyber Agency on Wednesday.
According to security sources, jet fighters shelled many militant hideouts in Tirah valley.