Suspected US drone strikes kill 48 in Pakistan

July 12, 2011

ted-US-drone-strikes-kill-48-in-Pakistan

Jul 12, 2011, 5:57 GMT

Islamabad - At least 48 people were killed and about a dozen injured in four

suspected US drone attacks in north-western Pakistan's tribal belt along the

Afghan border, local intelligence officials said on Tuesday.

The first attack took place late Monday in North Waziristan, one of the seven

tribal districts where Taliban and al-Qaeda have hideouts.

An intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity said that a US

drone fired two missiles into a vehicle in the Datta Khel area, killing five

people.

'Later the drone fired eight missiles into a compound in the same area,' the

official said. 'The attack demolished the building and locals have pulled out 20

dead bodies and 10 injured people from the debris of the house.'

'All 10 injured are in critical condition, so we fear that the death toll might

rise,' he added.

Early Tuesday, another airstrike took place in the adjoining district of South

Waziristan.

'A US drone fired two missiles into a vehicle. Eight people died in the attack,'

said a second intelligence official who also sought anonymity.

Unmanned drone aircraft also targeted a vehicle and compound in Drae Nishtar in

North Waziristan.

'Eight to 10 drones took part in the attack. They fired two missiles on a

vehicle and two more on a compound,' said another security official. 'According

to initial information, 15 people have died in the strike.'

'Drone are still flying in the area and everyone there is scared,' said the

official.

The identities of the victims were not known yet.

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