Pakistan

US missile strike on militant hideout

Article published on the 2009-07-07 Latest update 2009-07-12 11:19 TU

Supporters of the Islamic party Jamaat-e-Islami protest at US operations in Pakistan during a demonstration in Karachi in June
(Photo: Reuters)

A US missile strike hit a Taliban hideout in the Zangara area of Pakistan’s South Waziristan province, which is in the country's tribal belt on the Afghan border on Tuesday. Up to 16 fighters were reportedly killed in the attack. The strike is believed to have been carried out by an unmanned US drone aircraft.

The target of the attack is believed to be the former office of Taliban warlord, Baitullah Mehsud, who the government believes was behind the murder of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Mehsud currently has a 3.5-million-euro price on his head.

A security official confirmed that 16 people had been killed in the strike but it was not clear if any high-ranking Taliban died.

The US military does not officially confirm the use of drones in the area. However, the military and the CIA operating in Afghanistan are the only forces to have drones in the region.

Pakistan opposes US strikes on its territory, arguing that it violates the country’s sovereignty. However, since August 2008, at least 45 strikes have been carried out, killing around 450 people.

The strikes have deepened resentment of US presence in the region.