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Pakistani Officials: 5 Killed in US Drone Strike

   VOA News 26 December 2009

   Pakistani  security  officials  say  five people have been killed in a
   U.S.  drone   attack  on  a  suspected  militant  target in Pakistan's
   northwest tribal region.
   The  officials  say  missiles  hit  a  house  Saturday  in  the  North
   Waziristan tribal district near Afghanistan.  They say two people were
   wounded.
   It is not clear if the casualties were militants.
   Many  Taliban gunmen and other militants battling U.S. and NATO forces
   in Afghanistan are based in North Waziristan.
   Meanwhile,  Pakistani  officials  say  militants  have  assassinated a
   tribal  leader  who  commanded  a  village  militia  fighting  Taliban
   militants in North Waziristan.
   The officials say Gul Mohammad's beheaded body was found on a roadside
   in the Bajaur district.  Taliban militants often attack tribal leaders
   considered  to  be  pro-government  in  efforts  to  gain  control  in
   northwest Pakistan.
   Pakistan  has been under pressure from the United States to crack down
   on  militants  in  the  tribal  regions.  But that has not stopped the
   attacks.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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