US drone destroys Taliban camp in Pak, kills 5 terrorists

Islamabad: A US drone targeted a Taliban training camp in the restive South Waziristan tribal region of Pakistan on Wednesday, killing five militants and injuring seven more, security officials said. The CIA-operated spy plane fired two missiles at the camp in Babargarh area of Laddah sub-division, TV news channels quoted the officials as saying. Five militants were killed and seven others injured, they said.

The casualties could not be independently confirmed as journalists are barred from the lawless tribal region that is described by US officials as a safe haven for Taliban and Al Qaeda elements. Local residents said several drones were seen hovering over the area after the attack. The Taliban compound was destroyed in the attack. The Babargarh area is a stronghold of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakimullah Mehsud and the group has several camps in the region. On Sunday, four militants were killed and several others injured when a US drone targeted a house in North Waziristan Agency. Drone strikes are opposed by the Pakistani government, which describes them as counter-productive and a violation of the country`s sovereignty. A statement issued by the Foreign Office on Monday condemned the last attack and said such unilateral strikes violated international law. "Such attacks also set dangerous precedents in inter-state relations. The government of Pakistan calls upon the US government to stop such attacks based on mutual respect and established international norms," the statement said. However, US diplomatic cables made public by WikiLeaks showed Pakistani leaders agreed to the strikes in private. PTI