Islamabad, Sep 28 (DPA) The US has intensified missile attacks by unmanned drones against suspected militant hideouts in Pakistan’s tribal region along the Afghan border.
September was the deadliest month since the US launched the drone campaign, with 21 air strikes, nearly twice as many as were launched in January, the month with the next highest total.
At least 123 alleged militants including some foreign fighters linked to Al Qaeda have been killed in the CIA-operated attacks.
Most of the attacks took place in North Waziristan tribal district, a known hotbed of Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters, who carry out cross-border raids on NATO-led international forces in Afghanistan.
Fatal attacks in September included:
Sep 3: Two separate drone strikes killed at least 12 suspected militants in North Waziristan tribal district, reportedly including local Taliban commander Inayatullah.
Sep 4: US drones struck a compound in Datta Khel village in North Waziristan district, killing eight militants including three foreign fighters.
Sep 8: US drones launched four separate attacks in 24 hours on three compounds and a vehicle in North Waziristan. According to anonymous Pakistani intelligence officials, 24 suspected Islamist insurgents died.
Sep 13: A US drone fired two missiles at a house in Shawal area of North Waziristan, reportedly killing 13 suspected militants.
Sep 14: A US drone strike killed 12 alleged militants in Dargah Mandi near Miran Shah, North Waziristan.
Sep 20: US drones fired missiles at a vehicle and a house in Datakhel region on North Waziristan, killing 12 people, mostly militants according to intelligence officials.
Sep 21: A US drone strike killed 12 alleged militants, including suspected Taliban commander Mullah Shamsullah, on the border between South and North Waziristan.
September’s strikes were apparently part of a campaign against the network led by Afghan warlord Jalaluddin Haqqani and his son Sirajuddin Haqqani, in support of concurrent raids by special forces against the network’s fighters in Afghanistan.
