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ISLAMABAD (AP) - A missile launched from a United States drone affected a suspected unpeaceful hideout in a tribal area of northern Pakistan where the allies a powerful warlord concentrated Sat, killing 5 of his helpers, Pakistani officials.
Strike in North Waziristan against the allies of Hafiz Gul Bahadur, a militant commander whose forces are often the United States and other NATO troops in neighboring Afghanistan, comes amid speculation about whether Pakistan will launch an operation against militants in the tribal region.
The U.S. has pushed Pakistan repeatedly to take such action and earlier this week the U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, said The Associated Press that Pakistan was preparing an operation to Pakistani Taliban in North Waziristan.
Pakistan has been reluctant to undertake an offensive there, saying that its army is already overstretched by fighting in other tribal areas of Pakistan and parts. But many believe the United States does not want Pakistan to disturb many militant groups there, like the Haqqani network that could be useful allies in Afghanistan after foreign forces leave.
On Thursday, the U.S. commander in the part, General James Mattis, met with Pakistani army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
During the contacting, the Pakistani general restated the government's position that it would conduct an operation in North Waziristan if it coincides with the interests of Pakistan and not in response to external pressure, according to a press release military.
Drone attacks as of Saturday are very unpopular in Pakistan, where they are considered a violation of the sovereignty of the country and responsible for the death of innocent civilians. The United States maintains targeted strikes were directed against militants and needed to fight against groups like Al Qaeda.
