US drone strike kills 3 suspected militants in Pak

Islamabad: At least three suspected militants were killed today in a US drone strike in the lawless North Waziristan tribal region of Pakistan, security officials said. The CIA-operated spy planes fired four missiles at a vehicle carrying militants, the security officials were quoted as saying by TV news channels. [caption id=“attachment_474868” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  AP[/caption] Three suspected militants were killed instantly. The attack took place in Khaider Khel area of Mir Ali district, 30 km from Miranshah, the main town of North Waziristan Agency. US and Afghan officials consider the area a stronghold of Taliban and Al Qaeda elements. Local residents told the media that they had seen several drones flying over the area at the time of the strike. The identity of those killed in the strike could not immediately be ascertained. The Al Qaeda-linked Haqqani network is active in North Waziristan Agency. The US has been pressuring Pakistan to take action against the group, which was involved in attacking the American Embassy in Kabul in September last year. Pakistan opposes the drone strikes, saying they are counter-productive, against international laws and a violation of its sovereignty. PTI