Five suspected Taliban fighters killed in US drone attack

A Muhammad

Peshawar, Jan 18 (PTI) At least five suspected Talibanfighters were killed when a US drone struck a militantcompound in the restive North Waziristan tribal region ofnorthwest Pakistan today, intelligence officials said.

The drone hit a compound at Asar village in DattaKhel, an area in North Waziristan Agency that has witnessedmany missile strikes.

The unmanned spy plane fired three missiles at thecompound located five kilometres from the Afghan border, theintelligence officials said.

The Haqqani network and al-Qaeda operatives areactive in the area and carry out attacks on US and alliedtroops across the border in Afghanistan.

The Pakistan government is under considerablepressure from the US to launch an operation against militantsin North Waziristan.

Pakistan has said it will not accept any dictation inthis regard and will decide on launching an offensive in linewith its national interests.