US strike kills 4 al-Qaeda operatives in Pakistan
A US missile strike targeting a top Taliban commander in Pakistan's northwest killed four mid-level Al-Qaeda operatives, a security official and a militant source said yesterday.
Meanwhile At least 11 militants were killed early yesterday when government troops pounded their hideouts in Pakistan's restive northwestern Swat valley, the military said.
Monday's strike in North Waziristan failed to kill Jalaluddin Haqqani or his son, Sirajuddin, accused by Afghan and Western forces of orchestrating the ongoing insurgency across the border in Afghanistan.
Five missiles fired by suspected US drones destroyed a seminary and an underground tunnel built by the Haqqanis in Darpa Dandekhen, near Miranshah, the main town in the troubled Pakistani tribal district, killing 21.
"According to local sources the strike killed four Al-Qaeda operators and some extended family members of Haqqani's," a security official told AFP.
A source in Haqqani's group confirmed the death of four Arabs, identified as Abu Harris, Abu Hamza, Abu Qasim and Abu Musa Alkhyan.
The operation in Swat valley was launched in the Koza Banda area where rebels have stepped up their activities during the past two weeks, said military spokesman Colonel Nadeem Anwar.
"We have confirmed reports that 11 militants were killed and seven others wounded seriously in heavy artillery fire on their hideouts," he said.
He added that Pakistan air force jets also conducted reconnaissance flights over the area to collect information about other rebel bases.
"However, fighter jets did not bomb the area," he added.
The latest attack came two days after 10 militants were killed in clashes with troops in the Kabal district of the scenic Swat valley.
Radical pro-Taliban cleric Maulana Fazlullah launched a violent campaign to enforce harsh Islamic Sharia law in the region last year. Since then, the former popular tourist destination has been rocked by fierce clashes.
Pakistan's army has intensified its campaign against Fazlullah's fighters in recent weeks, killing hundreds of them.
New President Asif Ali Zardari, who was sworn in on Tuesday, has pledged to combat the Islamic militancy that has been plaguing the country and neighbouring Afghanistan.
Zardari is the widower of slain former premier Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in a gun and suicide attack at an election rally in December.
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