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Suspected US Drone Strike Kills 15 in Pakistan

   VOA News 17 December 2010

   Suspected  U.S.  missile strikes have killed at least 15 people in the
   Khyber region of northwestern Pakistan where such strikes are rare.
   Pakistani  officials say American missiles struck two locations Friday
   in Tirah valley.
   A day earlier, Pakistani officials said another U.S. missile strike in
   the area killed seven alleged militants.
   Most  suspected  missile strikes have occurred in North Waziristan, an
   area  near  the Afghan border where al-Qaida and Taliban militants are
   believed to be residing and operating.
   Pakistan formally protests the strikes, but the U.S. claims they are a
   major weapon in the fight against extremists.
   A  recent  review  of  U.S.  strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan says
   greater  cooperation  is needed from Pakistan to deny a safe haven for
   terrorists in the border region.
   In  another  incident  Friday, Pakistani officials say militants fired
   mortar shells at two houses in the northwestern town of Hangu, killing
   nine people. The region is often the site of sectarian violence.

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