Pakistan

Suspected American drone kills dozens

Article published on the 2009-06-24 Latest update 2009-06-24 13:41 TU

Six people are believed to have died when a first drones targeted the hideout of Taliban leader Baïtullah Mehsud in the mountain region of Neej Narai. A second drone attack occurred in the afternoon as a crowd gathered for the funeral of those killed earlier in the morning.

 

So far the US army has refused to comment on the drone attacks. Pakistan has publicly opposed US strikes saying they violate its territorial sovereignty and deepen resentment among the populace. Forty-three drone strikes have killed at least 410 since August 2008.

A militant calling himself a deputy of Pakistan Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud has claimed that Mehsud ordered the killing of a key tribal rival on Tuesday. Qari Zainuddin, was a rising leader increasingly critical of Mehsud’s use of suicide bombings which targeted civilians and was shot dead at his house in the north-western town of Dera Ismail Khan.

In the North West of the country, three policemen were killed on Wednesday after 20 militants attacked a checkpost, armed with rockets, hand-grenades and assault rifles.

Meanwhile in Afghanistan, 23 Taliban rebels were killed after Nato forces raided their hideout in the south of the country. The operation was conducted in the night of Tuesday to Wednesday and is part of a bid by Afghan and international troops to secure unstable regions before the provincial elections of 20 August.