Drone strikes kill 10 in Wana, South Waziristan

WANA: Unmanned US drones fired missiles in the Wana area of South Waziristan, killing 10 people on Wednesday, said local sources.

Two drone strikes occurred, targeting a compound and a vehicle in the Doogh and Karikot areas near Wana.

A resident said two missiles apparently hit a sprawling compound belonging to Mullah Nazir’s group — one of the most influential Pakistani militant groups involved in fightingUS-led forces across the border in Afghanistan — in Wana, the main town in the region.

“There was a huge blast and we can see smoke rising from the compound,” a Reuters witness in Wana said.

According to officials on the ground, the building targeted in the compound was empty. The vehicle targeted in Sherano Algad reportedly resulted in the death of10 people.

Local sources said fire and smoke could be seen rising from the area where the missiles struck The strikes occurred 15-20 km away from Wana in South Waziristan.

Firdous reported that militant Ilyas Kashmiri was also killed in a drone strike 8-10 km from this region. Militants have been attacking security checkposts in retaliation to the drone attacks and the security situation in South Waziristan remains volatile.