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Deadly strike in Pakistan hotspot US strike 'hits Pakistan Taleban'
(about 3 hours later)
At least 12 people have been killed in north-west Pakistan in a suspected US missile strike, officials say. At least 12 people - mostly Taleban insurgents - have been killed in north-west Pakistan in a suspected US missile strike, Pakistani officials say.
The missile struck a home before dawn near Miranshah, the main town in the North Waziristan region on the Afghan border, officials and witnesses said. It struck a home before dawn near Miranshah, the main town in the North Waziristan region on the Afghan border.
They said the missile was fired by a US drone flying overhead. All the dead are reported to be Taleban militants. It has emerged that President Bush recently authorised US raids against militants in Pakistan without prior approval from Islamabad.
The attack comes amid growing concern in Pakistan over unilateral military action by the US. There is growing concern in Pakistan over unilateral US military action.
American and international troops are fighting Taleban and al-Qaeda militants in Afghanistan. Pakistani officials at the scene of the strike told the BBC that the missile was fired by a US drone flying overhead.
They said that most - if not all - of the dead are Taleban militants.
Tensions in the border region are rising
American and international troops are fighting Taleban and al-Qaeda militants close to the scene of the attack in neighbouring Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani army says its troops have killed at least 28 militants in the north-west of the country.Meanwhile, the Pakistani army says its troops have killed at least 28 militants in the north-west of the country.
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Pakistan says that heavy fighting is continuing around the strategically important area of Loisam in the Bajaur tribal area.
House destroyedHouse destroyed
The missile landed in a house in the Tol Khel area on the outskirts of Miranshah, local officials and eyewitnesses told the BBC.The missile landed in a house in the Tol Khel area on the outskirts of Miranshah, local officials and eyewitnesses told the BBC.
"The pre-dawn strike destroyed the house," news agency AFP quoted an unnamed official as saying."The pre-dawn strike destroyed the house," news agency AFP quoted an unnamed official as saying.
Fighting in Bajaur has escalated in recent days
Another 10 people were wounded, he said.Another 10 people were wounded, he said.
Tensions in the border region are rising
It would be the fifth cross-border attack since the beginning of this month allegedly carried out by US forces, who have not officially confirmed their involvement.It would be the fifth cross-border attack since the beginning of this month allegedly carried out by US forces, who have not officially confirmed their involvement.
On Monday, at least 14 people were killed and 15 injured in a suspected US missile strike in North Waziristan, witnesses and officials said.On Monday, at least 14 people were killed and 15 injured in a suspected US missile strike in North Waziristan, witnesses and officials said.
The attacks follow persistent US accusations that Pakistan is not doing enough to eliminate Taleban and al-Qaeda sanctuaries in the border region.The attacks follow persistent US accusations that Pakistan is not doing enough to eliminate Taleban and al-Qaeda sanctuaries in the border region.
An unnamed senior Pentagon official told the BBC that at some point within the past two months President Bush issued issued a classified order to authorise US raids against militants in Pakistan
Pakistan has said it will not allow foreign forces onto its territory and that it will vigorously protect its sovereignty. It says that cross border raids are not the best way of fighting the "war against terror".
The country's Chief of Army Staff, Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, said there was "no question of any agreement or understanding with the coalition forces whereby they are allowed to conduct operations on our side of the border".
The upsurge in strikes has alarmed Pakistani military and government officials, who say it seriously undermines their counter-insurgency operations.The upsurge in strikes has alarmed Pakistani military and government officials, who say it seriously undermines their counter-insurgency operations.
Claim disputedClaim disputed
Meanwhile, the Pakistani army says its troops have killed at least 28 militants in the north-west of the country on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Pakistani army says it killed at least 28 militants in the north-west of the country on Thursday night.
The US says militants are hiding out in north-west Pakistan
They said two army soldiers were also killed in the fighting. The killings took place in the troubled districts of Swat and Bajaur, on the Afghan border.They said two army soldiers were also killed in the fighting. The killings took place in the troubled districts of Swat and Bajaur, on the Afghan border.
The militants have disputed the army's claim, saying no Taleban have been killed.The militants have disputed the army's claim, saying no Taleban have been killed.
An army spokesman, Major Murad Khan, told the BBC that those killed included foreign fighters as well.An army spokesman, Major Murad Khan, told the BBC that those killed included foreign fighters as well.
A Taleban spokesman, Maulvi Omar, told the BBC's Urdu service that no Taleban fighter had died in Thursday's fighting.A Taleban spokesman, Maulvi Omar, told the BBC's Urdu service that no Taleban fighter had died in Thursday's fighting.
The casualty figures could not be independently verified.The casualty figures could not be independently verified.
Bajaur is believed to be a major al-Qaeda sanctuary, and has attracted several suspected US missile attacks from across the border in Afghanistan.Bajaur is believed to be a major al-Qaeda sanctuary, and has attracted several suspected US missile attacks from across the border in Afghanistan.
Security forces launched an operation against militants in the area in the first week of August.Security forces launched an operation against militants in the area in the first week of August.
Most markets and shops in the area have remained closed since then.Most markets and shops in the area have remained closed since then.
More than 300,000 people have since fled the area to avoid fighting.More than 300,000 people have since fled the area to avoid fighting.
Witnesses say those who are still in the area are faced with severe food and medicine shortages.Witnesses say those who are still in the area are faced with severe food and medicine shortages.