It's been a few days since we've seen the dust settle from a hellfire attack from American drones inside of Pakistan but this morning, we have seen just that and what remained were five dead Taliban targets - now we get to wait and see if any of those five would be considered "high value." Deep down, I think this may have been a bit more than just a run of the mill attack on a Taliban compound - this attack saw two drones take part and that isn't usually the norm - it's almost like we wanted to be SURE on this one. Here's some of the details from the article at Reuters:
As you can see, there is the usual differing reports on the amount of dead on this and yes, I do hope it is 20 and not five but I'll sacrifice some dead Taliban for a commander under this rubble. One of these days...I predict...we are going to see one of these reports and then find out that we got Mehsud and believe me, that will be a day to rejoice. Whether this is Mehsud, or one of his commanders or a high level al Qaeda...it's always good to see dead Taliban/al Qaeda to start a weekend. : )
Missiles fired by suspected pilotless U.S. drone aircraft struck a compound in a Pakistani region on the Afghan border on Saturday, killing at least five militants, intelligence and Taliban officials said.
Four missiles fired by two drones hit a compound in Sarorogha village in the South Waziristan tribal region, a stronghold of Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud and a known al Qaeda and Taliban hotbed, one of the intelligence officials said.
"We have reports of at least five militants killed in the missile attack," said the official. The same figure was given by a Taliban official in the region.
Another intelligence official put the death toll at as high as 20, and said one of the missiles also hit a vehicle carrying militants.
As you can see, there is the usual differing reports on the amount of dead on this and yes, I do hope it is 20 and not five but I'll sacrifice some dead Taliban for a commander under this rubble. One of these days...I predict...we are going to see one of these reports and then find out that we got Mehsud and believe me, that will be a day to rejoice. Whether this is Mehsud, or one of his commanders or a high level al Qaeda...it's always good to see dead Taliban/al Qaeda to start a weekend. : )
U.S. drone attack kills at least five in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Missiles fired by suspected pilotless U.S. drone aircraft struck a compound in a Pakistani region on the Afghan border on Saturday, killing at least five militants, intelligence and Taliban officials said.
Four missiles fired by two drones hit a compound in Sarorogha village in the South Waziristan tribal region, a stronghold of Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud and a known al Qaeda and Taliban hotbed, one of the intelligence officials said.
"We have reports of at least five militants killed in the missile attack," said the official. The same figure was given by a Taliban official in the region.
Another intelligence official put the death toll at as high as 20, and said one of the missiles also hit a vehicle carrying militants.
The United States began increasing the frequency of drone attacks in Pakistan a year ago. There has been no let-up since President Barack Obama's administration took office in January, despite complaints from the Pakistani government.
The United States carried out about 40 drone air strikes since the beginning of last year, most since September, killing more than 300 people, according to a tally of reports from Pakistani intelligence agents, district government officials and residents.
Including Saturday's strike, there have been 15 attacks this year, with five in April.
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