By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : At least eight persons were killed and nine others injured in a missile strike carried out by a US drone in Pakistan’s restive South Waziristan tribal region on Sunday.
Local tribesmen said the drone fired two missiles at a compound in Hebat Khan village in South Waziristan. The attack was carried out in an area dominated by the fighters of Pakistani Taliban commander Baitulalh Mehsud.
A school within the compound targeted by the drone was occupied by the militants some time ago, TV channels reported.
There was no official word on the casualties though TV channels and witnesses said eight persons were killed and nine others injured. Some foreigners, including Uzbeks and Arabs, and women and children were believed to be among the dead, TV channels reported.
The US has not stopped drone attacks in Pakistan’s tribal belt despite Islamabad’s protests that such strikes are counter-productive and a violation of the country’s sovereignty. There have been five drone attacks since US President Barack Obama assumed office.
Pakistani leaders had expressed hope that the new US administration would halt the controversial strikes as they fuel public anger and complicate the country’s own counter-insurgency efforts.
Today’s attack coincided with a visit to Washington by Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to provide inputs for a review of the US policy for the region.