A suspected US drone fired a missile today into Pakistan's tribal region of Waziristan on the Afghan border, killing 10 people, security officials said.
It was the latest in a string of nearly 20 suspected strikes by pilotless US drones since the beginning of September but the first since Tuesday's U.S. presidential election.
Pakistan objects to the strikes as not only a violation of its sovereignty but counter-productive to its efforts to tackle militants behind surging violence in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
A Pakistani intelligence agency official said the strike was on a house in North Waziristan but a military official said the attack was in South Waziristan. Both regions are al-Qaeda and Taliban sanctuaries on the Afghan border.
"It happened close to the border. We have reports of 10 dead but it will take time to get more information," said a military officer.
US forces have stepped up attacks on militants in Pakistan in response to concern about worsening security in Afghanistan.
Scores of people have been killed in missile strikes and a September 3rd cross-border commando raid, but no top al-Qaeda or Taliban leaders have been reported to have died.
Nuclear-armed US ally Pakistan is also battling militants on its side of the border but says cross-border US strikes undermine efforts to isolate the militants and rally public opinion behind the unpopular campaign against them.
The United States has shrugged off Pakistani protests. It says the attacks are needed to protect US troops in Afghanistan and kill Taliban and al-Qaeda militants who threaten them.
Pakistan is hoping the new US administration will be more sensitive to its concerns.
Reuters