Missile Strikes Home In Pakistan Killing At Least 12

Thu, 15 May 2008 06:42:14 +0000
Preciosa Dumlao - AHN News Writer

Islamabad, Pakistan (AHN) - At least 12 people were killed when an air missile, suspected to have been fired by a U.S. predator unmanned aircraft, struck a house in a town in northwest Pakistan, residents said.

According to residents, they saw an U.S. drone jet plane near Damadola village and Afghan border Wednesday night and fired two missiles.

Local villagers said Taliban leaders were gathered in the house for a feast when the incident occurred, killing at least 15 people.

Witnesses say the U.S. unmanned aircraft has been patrolling the area since Wednesday morning.

The U.S. has launched several missile strikes, using drone jet bombers to target suspected al-Qaida and Taliban leaders. Majority of the country objects to such attacks and say this was in violation of the country's sovereignty.

But Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and the Pentagon reportedly had an agreement that allows the U.S. to launch missile strikes inside Pakistan to target Islamic militants. Meanwhile, Pakistani army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas did not confirm any missile strike the area.

Pakistani army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas did not confirm reports of a missile strike in the region.

The CIA fired missiles at a house in Damadola on January 13, 2006 to kill senior al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri, but the terrorist was not there.

The attack killed 17 people.

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