Saturday, April 23, 2011

U.S. drones kill 25 in Pakistan

U.S. drone fired missiles on Friday in a Pakistani region near the Afghan border and killed 25 people, Pakistani intelligence officials reported. The raid came a day after Pakistan's army commander denounced the attacks, and could further deteriorate relations between Washington and Islamabad. Ten missiles hit a house in the village of Spinwam in North Waziristan, a region where Taliban find refuge, as well as terrorists from Al Qaeda, said three sources of intelligence.

It is believed that there are three children and two women among the dead, the sources said. There was no way to confirm the report. U.S. launches missiles in the region for two and a half years, although not formally recognize the action that is in charge of the CIA. U.S. sources generally do not comment on the attacks, except to say generally that the victims were rebels.

The usual source of information about the attacks are Pakistani intelligence agents, speaking on condition of anonymity. It is impossible to verify your information because access to the border area is forbidden. The attacks have caused tension between the two allies, at least in appearance.

Washington argues that the attacks on the Afghan Taliban hiding in Pakistan are essential for victory in Afghanistan, a dilemma that is exacerbated in view of the decision to begin withdrawing forces in the coming months. The army and the Pakistani political leadership publicly condemn the attacks, but it is believed that in private on approving a policy that allows them to defend the strong anti-American sentiment prevailing in the country.

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