US drones launched a missile strike against a vehicle in Mir Ali, a key town in Pakistan’s restive North Waziristan agency, overnight killing at least four suspected militants according to intelligence officials.
Though officials could not confirm the identities of those slain in the attack, they said it most of them appeared to be foreigners, and said it was likely that the death toll would rise as some of the wounded are said to be in serious condition.
This is the third drone strike in North Waziristan in the past week, as two strikes on September 7 and 8 killed at least 10 people. It does not appear that any of those killed in any of the strikes were high ranking militants.
The attacks come with the US reportedly annoyed that the Pakistani government’s own offensive in Waziristan has been halted as the government attempts to negotiate with parts of the militant factions in the area. Though the Pakistani government publicly condemns the strikes, its private endorsement and support is well known.