US drone strikes in Waziristan, 10 militants killed

Islamabad, March 17 : At least 10 militants were killed and four wounded in two consecutive US drone strikes Wednesday in North Waziristan, military sources said.

About eight missiles were fired by five unmanned drones at a vehicle and a suspected militant compound in Hamzoi and Maizer areas of the tribal agency, the sources told Online news agency.

Among the dead and wounded were some foreign militants, believed to be Arab fighters of the Al Qaeda, but it was not immediately clear whether any high-profile militant was the target.

This was the third drone attack in the 24 hours till Wednesday afternoon, taking the toll of terrorists killed to 21. Officials fear the toll could rise as many people were suspected to be trapped in the debris.

The tribesmen, while protesting over the continuous drone strikes, have threatened to stage a 'long march' to Islamabad if the attacks did not stop.

The US says that Taliban fighters in North Waziristan use their hideouts in the region to conduct hit-and-run raids against the coalition forces in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has repeatedly demanded that the drone strikes stop or that Islamabad be given the wherewithal to conduct them. The US has steadfastly refused to accede to either demand.