Suspected U.S. drone kills 10 in Pakistan's Bajaur

Sat Oct 24, 2009, 4:58 am ET

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) –

A suspected U.S. drone aircraft missile killed 10 people on Saturday after striking the house of a Taliban commander in Pakistan's tribal region of Bajaur, a government official said.

"The missile hit home of Maulvi Faqir and we have reports of ten dead," Abdul Malik, an official in the region, told Reuters by telephone.

(Reporting by Kamran Haider; Editing by David Fox)

Death toll in NW Pakistan drone strike reaches 27

    ISLAMABAD, Oct. 24, 2009, (Xinhua) --

The death toll in suspected United States drone attack at a compound in Pakistan's Bajaur tribal agency has reached 27, local TV channel reported Saturday.

    A U.S. drone aircraft Saturday fired missiles at a suspected hideout of the Taliban-linked fighters in northwest Pakistan's tribal area, leaving 27 persons dead and several others injured, the private channel ARY News reported.

    The compound was located near the house of Taliban deputy chief Moulvi Faqeer Muhammad.

    Official sources said several foreigners were among those killed. They said that the drone fired two missiles at a bunker at Damadola area.

    Nephew and son-in-law of Maulvi Faqir Muhammad were also killed in the attack, officials said. Maulvi Faqir had left the place 10 minutes before the strike, they said.

    They said that the militants were holding a meeting in the bunker when the missiles hit the hideout. According to officials some important militants personalities were in the bunker and the killed persons' identity could be proved later.

    Damadola and its adjoining areas are considered as the stronghold of Taliban. The area is located near Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province.

    The U.S. has intensified drone attacks on Pakistani tribal regions despite Pakistan's protest in recent months. Pakistani officials said that the drone strikes have killed more than 400 people in about 50 attacks since Aug. 2008.

Editor: Anne Tang