US drone strike kills five militants in Pak tribal belt

Karachi, Dec 28 (ANI): A US drone strike targeting two militant compounds killed five militants in a Pakistani tribal region bordering Afghanistan on Tuesday, local security officials have said.

The strike, the second in a little over 24 hours, took place in Ghulam Khan village, 20 kilometres east of Miramshah, the main town in North Waziristan tribal district.

"Four missiles were fired in a US drone strike, which targeted two militant compounds and killed five rebels," the Dawn quoted a local security official, as telling a news agency.

Another official confirmed the strike and casualties, and said, "Identities of the militants killed in the strike were not immediately known."

The area is said to be a stronghold of the Haqqani network, which fights foreign troops in Afghanistan, he added.

Over 100 missile attacks have taken place inside Pakistan this year, with most of them happening in North Waziristan, a tribal area under the control of terrorist groups.

The missile attacks, whose frequency has more than doubled this year compared to 2009, have been credited with killing many top militants, but have also stirred anger in Pakistan.

Pakistani officials protest the strikes, but are believed to have secretly authorised at least some of them. Analysts also say that targeting information for many of the attacks is likely to be provided by Pakistani intelligence officials. (ANI)