A suspected US drone aircraft is reported to have killed at least seven people in two missile strikes in southern Pakistan, near the border of Afghanistan. US-operated pilotless drones have launched more than 20 missile attacks in tribal areas since August despite fierce objections in Pakistan.According to local sources, a US drone destroyed a house and a car and three people were killed in one attack in South Waziristan. Another missile fired in the Azam Warsak area near Wana killed four people. It was not clear whether the missile attacks had targeted any senior Al-Qaeda or Taliban members.
US forces in Afghanistan, frustrated by a spreading Taliban insurgency drawing support from northwest Pakistan, have recently increased the number of strikes by pilotless drones. The drone attacks are believed to have been largely on target, hitting Taliban and Al-Qaeda hideouts in the volatile tribal region.