US drone strike kills 20 Taliban militants in Waziristan: Pak security officers

Islamabad, Jan. 18 (ANI): At least 20 Taliban militants, including several Uzbek insurgents, were reportedly killed in a US drone strike in South Waziristan on Sunday.

The drone attack, which took place in Shaktoee, was apparently tracking and targeting TTP chief Hakeemullah, whose presence is frequently reported in the area, Pakistani officials said.

"The target was a Taliban compound. Twenty Taliban deaths have been confirmed," the Daily Times quoted a security official, as saying.

An intelligence official said that drone fired at least three missiles, and Taliban - who had ringed the demolished compound in the remote and mountainous area - were digging out bodies.

Although security official said it was too early to tell if any high-value targets were among the 20 killed, reports suggested that the building was used by Uzbeks, and most of the casualties were foreigners.

Sunday's bombing was the 10th US drone strike to hit the tribal belt this month.

US efforts to track down Hakeemullah have been stepped up since a bomber targeted a CIA base in Afghanistan's Khost province and the TTP chief claimed responsibility for the attack.

More than 700 people have been killed in about 80 US drone strikes in Pakistan since August 2008. (ANI)