Pakistan

Suspected US missile strike kills up to 14, suicide bomber kills 22

Article published on the 2008-11-07 Latest update 2008-11-07 14:25 TU

A victim of the suicide bomb blast in Khar
(Photo: Reuters)

A suspected US drone killed up to 14 alleged Islamist fighters in Pakistan's tribal area Friday, adding to friction between Islamabad and Washington after Barack Obama's victory in the US presidential election. The death toll from a suicide bombing targeting pro-government tribal elders on Thuresday has risen to 22.

Four missiles are thought to have been fired at a camp in Kumsham village in North Waziristan province.

Security officials say that the village is dominated by Waziri tribes and that the camp was used for training by Al-Qaeda. They say that between 11 and 14 fighters were killed and that many of them were not Pakistani.

Correspondent Rana Jawad says he has information of seven Al-Qaeda fighters and one Taliban commander dying.

This operation seems to have hit its target, he told RFI, but a minority have killed civilians, stoking anti-American sentiment in the country.

"Out of the 20 strikes they have carried out this year, most of the strikes have been successful, hitting at terrorist sanctuaries and targets. But when you fire a missile Hellfire, there is always a chance of  collateral damage."  

The attack will once again focus attention on US military activity inside Pakistan, which has sparked several high-level protests by the Pakistani government over the year.

During the US election campaign, President-elect Barack Obama declared that he would sanction attacks on Pakistani territory if they were necessary for US interests.

The death toll from a suicide attack in the Bajaur tribal district in the  north-west of the country on Thursday has risen to 22 after five died overnight, according to officials.

The bomber, who is believed to be an Uzbek, targeted a meeting of government-backed tribal elders.

Pakistan troops killed at least four armed fighters in Bajaur overnight.