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Drone 'kills seven' in Pakistan Drones 'kill dozens' in Pakistan
(about 4 hours later)
Seven people have died in a second missile strike by a suspected US drone in as many days in north-west Pakistan, officials and residents say. At least 40 people have been killed in a suspected US missile strike in north-west Pakistan, local officials say.
At least three to four missiles hit a suspected training camp for militants in South Waziristan early on Wednesday, witnesses said. They told the BBC three suspected US drones had fired missiles at militants near Ladha in South Waziristan.
At least 12 militants were killed in a similar attack in the area on Tuesday. It is the third such strike in two days in the area. An attack earlier on Wednesday and one on Tuesday killed at least 19 people, reports said.
The attacks are targeting a stronghold of Pakistan's top Taliban commander, Baitullah Mehsud, in South Waziristan.The attacks are targeting a stronghold of Pakistan's top Taliban commander, Baitullah Mehsud, in South Waziristan.
US officials believe Mr Mehsud is providing both the Taliban and al-Qaeda with a refuge in the region. They have placed a $5m bounty on his capture. US officials believe he is providing both the Taliban and al-Qaeda with a refuge in the region. They are offering a reward of $5m for his capture.
There have been dozens of drone strikes since last August, killing hundreds of militants and civilians.There have been dozens of drone strikes since last August, killing hundreds of militants and civilians.
Most of the strikes have taken place in the tribal regions of North and South Waziristan.Most of the strikes have taken place in the tribal regions of North and South Waziristan.
The strikes come at a time when the Pakistani government is engaged in operations against the Taliban commander in South Waziristan.The strikes come at a time when the Pakistani government is engaged in operations against the Taliban commander in South Waziristan.
CriticalCritical
Officials said the missiles were fired at a Taliban training camp in the thickly-forested and mountainous Karwan Manza area, some 10km south-east of Ladha town in South Waziristan. The latest attack took place on the road between Ladha and another town, Sararoga, local officials said. At least five missiles were fired at vehicles carrying Taliban fighters, they said.
Earlier, at least three missiles hit a suspected training camp for militants in South Waziristan, witnesses said.
Officials said the missiles were fired at a Taliban training camp in the thickly-forested and mountainous Karwan Manza area, some 10km south-east of Ladha.
Profile: Baitullah Mehsud Long war against TalibanProfile: Baitullah Mehsud Long war against Taliban
The area is close to the border with Afghanistan.The area is close to the border with Afghanistan.
Officials say that a Taliban hideout was completely destroyed in the attack - as was another hideout in Tuesday's attack, which took place 20km from Wednesday's the strike. Officials say that a Taliban hideout was completely destroyed in the attack - as was another hideout in Tuesday's attack, which took place 20km from Wednesday's strike.
Local administration officials say the Taliban took away bodies from Wednesday's attack after clearing away the debris.Local administration officials say the Taliban took away bodies from Wednesday's attack after clearing away the debris.
The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says that the increased number of drone attacks has caused a great deal of insecurity among Mr Mehsud's fighters.The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says that the increased number of drone attacks has caused a great deal of insecurity among Mr Mehsud's fighters.
They are already fighting the Pakistan army, which has launched an operation to clear his men from the area.They are already fighting the Pakistan army, which has launched an operation to clear his men from the area.
Our correspondent says that unlike previous campaigns, the army seems bent on following through with a directive from the government to destroy Mr Mehsud's militant network.Our correspondent says that unlike previous campaigns, the army seems bent on following through with a directive from the government to destroy Mr Mehsud's militant network.
It has claimed responsibility for numerous suicide bombings and other attacks which have killed scores inside Pakistan, and threatened many more.
Dangerous regionDangerous region
Security officials say Mr Mehsud's days are now numbered, but the Taliban leader has manoeuvred himself out of seemingly hopeless situations in the past.Security officials say Mr Mehsud's days are now numbered, but the Taliban leader has manoeuvred himself out of seemingly hopeless situations in the past.
For the moment, our correspondent says that he remains very much in control of what US officials say is the world's most dangerous region.For the moment, our correspondent says that he remains very much in control of what US officials say is the world's most dangerous region.
Pakistan has seen several drone strikes in the past one year. Last month, a suspected drone struck twice within hours killing more than 60 people - most of them militants who had gathered for the funeral of those killed in the first strike.Pakistan has seen several drone strikes in the past one year. Last month, a suspected drone struck twice within hours killing more than 60 people - most of them militants who had gathered for the funeral of those killed in the first strike.
Pakistan has been publicly critical of drone attacks, arguing that they kill civilians and fuel support for the militants.Pakistan has been publicly critical of drone attacks, arguing that they kill civilians and fuel support for the militants.
The US military does not routinely confirm drone attacks but the armed forces and the Central Intelligence Agency operating in Afghanistan are believed to be the only forces capable of deploying drones in the region.The US military does not routinely confirm drone attacks but the armed forces and the Central Intelligence Agency operating in Afghanistan are believed to be the only forces capable of deploying drones in the region.
In March, US President Barack Obama said his government would consult Pakistan on drone attacks.In March, US President Barack Obama said his government would consult Pakistan on drone attacks.