MIRAMSHAH: A US drone strike on Thursday killed at least 22 persons in Pakistan’s North Waziristan tribal region.
There were conflicting accounts about the target of the attack in the Dattakhel region of North Waziristan.
The area is a stronghold of Hafiz Gul Bahadur, a Taliban commander who harbours and sends militants across the border to fight western forces in Afghanistan.
One official said the missiles targeted a house as elders loyal to Bahadur were trying to mediate between two warring militant groups inside.
Another official said the drone attacked a vehicle in the area that was passing by a house where some local tribesmen were holding a meeting, killing them.
It was not immediately known if those in the vehicle were also hit.
The United States has been attacking al Qaeda-linked militants for the past few years in Pakistan’s tribal areas using drones, which are a source of worry for the government because civilians casualties inflame public anger and bolster support for the militants.
North Waziristan, where most of the drone attacks have occurred, is the only one of the seven Pakistani tribal regions where Pakistan’s army has not yet launched any major operation against the militants.
Washington has in recent months mounted pressure on Pakistan to go after militants in North Waziristan. Pakistan has said it will do so but on its own scheduleand when adequate resources are available.
