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    June 15, 2011

Suspected US Missile Strikes Kill 15 in Pakistan

   VOA News
   Waziristan_of_Pakistan
   Photo: voa-nanwang

   Pakistani intelligence officials say U.S. missile strikes have killed
   at least 15 militants in Pakistan's northwest tribal region.
   Two of Wednesday's drone strikes hit a militant compound and a vehicle
   near Wana, the main town in the South Waziristan tribal area, along the
   Afghan border.
   Officials say those killed are believed to have been allied with
   militant commander Maulvi Nazir, whose fighters are said to cross the
   border to attack U.S. and NATO troops in neighboring Afghanistan.
   Later on Wednesday, a third suspected U.S. drone strike hit neighboring
   North Waziristan, killing at least five suspected militants. The tribal
   area is a known sanctuary for Taliban and al-Qaida-linked militants.
   The United States has stepped up drone attacks since U.S. special
   forces killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden on May 2 in the Pakistani
   city of Abbottabad.
   U.S. officials have never publicly acknowledged the use of drones
   inside Pakistan, but have privately confirmed the strikes to various
   news outlets.
   Pakistani leaders protest the attacks as a violation of the country's
   sovereignty, but Pakistani intelligence is believed to provide the U.S.
   information for the strikes.
   U.S. officials say the missile strikes have severely weakened
   al-Qaida's leadership.
   Separately, Pakistani officials say armed men in Baluchistan have set
   fire to two NATO trucks carrying oil to neighboring Afghanistan. No one
   was injured. The attackers were not captured.