Intelligence officials in Pakistan say a suspected U.S. drone has fired
missiles into a Taliban training camp in northwest Pakistan, killing as
many as 14 militants.
Officials say the attack took place Tuesday in South Waziristan, along
the border with Afghanistan. Several foreigners are reported to be
among the dead.
The area is a stronghold of Baitullah Mehsud, a top Taliban leader and
al-Qaida ally wanted by both Pakistan and the United States.
Mehsud is blamed for scores of attacks against government and civilian
targets, and is believed to be a key facilitator for al-Qaida fighters
in Pakistan.
Pakistan's military has been fighting Taliban militants throughout the
country's northwest for more than two months. Recently, the operations
have included airstrikes against militant targets in South Waziristan.
While Islamabad frequently protests U.S. drone strikes in the
Taliban-dominated tribal regions, Pakistan's military and intelligence
agencies are believed to provide information used in the attacks.
In southwestern Baluchistan province, Islamabad has deployed more
soldiers along the Afghan border to stop insurgents fleeing a major
U.S.-led offensive against the Taliban in Afghanistan's southern
Helmand province.