5 die in suspected U.S. missile strike on Taliban stronghold in Pakistan
Last Updated: Sunday, June 14, 2009 | 1:04 PM ET
The Associated Press
At least five people died Sunday when a suspected U.S. missile hit a tribal region in Pakistan believed to be the base for a top Taliban commander, Pakistan intelligence officials told The Associated Press.
The missile struck three vehicles in an area not far from Makeen, a village in the South Waziristan district of the country considered a stronghold of Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud.
Mehsud has been linked to bombings on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, and U.S. defence officials said last week that Pakistan intended to target him, although no time frame was given.
It was not clear who was killed in the missile strike.
Two Pakistani intelligence officials confirmed the attack on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
South Waziristan is believed to be the target of Pakistan's next offensive against militants.
The U.S. rarely acknowledges or discusses the missile strikes.
The missile strike came as violence raged elsewhere in the northwestern region of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan.
A bombing at a market Sunday killed at least eight people, while officials said clashes between the Taliban and security forces killed at least 20 militants.
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