U.S. Drone Strikes In Pakistan

A suspected U.S. drone strike is reported to have been carried out in northwest Pakistan, killing 17 militants, according to Pakistani officials.

Pakistani intelligence officials told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal the drone strike early on July 3 targeted a house near the Dande Darpa Khel area of the North Waziristan tribal region.

The officials say the militants were members of the Haqqani network, which Washington considers to be one of the most dangerous militant factions fighting U.S.-led international forces in neighboring Afghanistan.

The leadership of the Haqqani network pledges allegiance to Taliban chief Mullah Omar but operates fairly independently.

It was the second U.S. drone attack inside Pakistan since Nawaz Sharif was sworn in as prime minister in June, calling for an end to such strikes and complaining that they violated the country's sovereignty.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP