U.S. Missile Strike Suspected In Pakistan

At Least Nine Dead In Attack On Two Areas In Pakistani Tribal Region

(CBS/AP)  A suspected U.S. missile strike targeted two areas in a Pakistani tribal region near the Afghanistan border on Thursday, killing at least nine people, Pakistani intelligence officials said.

Also Thursday, bombings targeting police killed 10 people and wounded 14 in Pakistan's volatile northwest and the capital - reminders of the challenge facing the country as its lawmakers pursue a national anti-terror consensus.

Pakistan's security officials warned against further attacks by al Qaeda and Taliban militants, CBS News' Farhan Bokhari reported from Islamabad.

The alleged missile strikes appeared to be part of a surge in U.S. cross border assaults from Afghanistan on alleged militant targets in Pakistan, which have strained ties between the two anti-terror allies.

One missile strike occurred at a house in Tappi village in North Waziristan tribal region. Some of those killed were believed to be foreigners, said two local Pakistani intelligence officials, citing reports from informants and agents.

A local tribesman, Shoaib Dawar, said Taliban militants surrounded the house. He said drones were heard in the area before the strike.

A second alleged strike was reported at a house in the village of Dande Darpa Khel. The site was near a seminary of veteran Taliban commander Jalaluddin Haqqani, considered an archenemy of the U.S. No casualties were immediately reported.

The intelligence officials requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. The army could not immediately be reached for comment.

U.S. Defense Department spokeswoman Eileen Lainez said "I have no information on any alleged strike."

Al Qaeda and Taliban militants have used Pakistan's tribal areas as bases from which to attack U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, spurring U.S. frustration with Pakistan. The tribal regions also are considered potential hiding places for al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and his deputy Ayman al-Zawahri.

Pakistani officials have protested that such strikes violate the nation's sovereignty. The U.S. rarely acknowledges such missile strikes. Some of the strikes are believed to be carried out by the CIA, which is said to use Predator drones.

In the bombings Thursday, one attack, an apparent suicide car bombing, occurred in a police complex in Islamabad. It wrecked an anti-terror squad building and wounded at least four police.

The top militant leaders wanted to prove their ability to attack the Pakistani capital during times when security is high, an official told Bokhari. "Is there a message to us which says, 'Guys we can hit you despite very high security?' That is the central question for us at this time as we investigate," said the Pakistani security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, a roadside bomb struck a prisoners' vehicle in the Dir region near Afghanistan and killed two police, four inmates and four children. Ten people were wounded, said Sher Bahadur Khan, a senior government official.

Pakistan's northwest region bears the brunt of the violence in the country. But in recent weeks, the militants have repeatedly demonstrated their reach extends farther.

In September, a suicide truck bombing of an Islamabad hotel killed 54 people. Security has been beefed up since in the capital, and it was especially high Thursday for a parliament session on finding a national anti-terror strategy.

State media reported that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari insisted attacks like those Thursday would not deter Pakistan from battling extremists.

But many citizens believe Pakistan's support of the U.S.-led war on terror is what's spurring the violence. The fledgling civilian government has urged Pakistanis to take ownership of the war on terror.

After the parliament session adjourned Thursday, some politicians said they wanted more details on social, economic and other aspects of the extremist threat, not just military operations.

Some complained that much of the data shared had already been released in the media.

The session was set to resume Monday.

[petro49l]

Al Qada harvested a vast crop of exotic poppies to make tar heroin. Their isomizers produce the narcotic for Junkies who demand the substance to get high. Bin Laden reaps the profits of deals with Heroin Addicts. He personally funds domestic terror activities in America with drug sales.

[larryhammick]

Several Arabs went to the bone yard in this one. But the main target might have been Jalaluddin Haqqani -- quite a big fish, who seems to be involved with the Islamic Jihad Union which reaches Europe via Turkey.

[tapsettle]

Yes, borders should be sacrosanct, but when third parties hide behind them launch attacks against US allies, it becomes a more dificult and complex issue. We ask your continued understanding.
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Posted by alphaa010

Request denied. Leave other sovereign countries to determine their OWN responses. You are obviously not dumb and I respect that rarity, but you are naive and I do not respect your support for third party attacks under Bush''s now completely discredited ''war on terror''.

[oneworldusa]

Um...this would make sense because Bin Laden has been likely hiding in Pakistan under the guise of a ''friendly'' nation. I''m sure the vast majority of Pakistanis are probably good, hard-working people like most of us who simply try to provide for their families, but I don''t believe the Pakistani government has been an ally for quite a while.

[tapsettle]

Bad guys NEED to be killed. That is exactly what we need MORE of in this world, MORE dead bad guys. So, why should I care who kills them?
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Posted by michaelt302

Yep, that''s what I expected from a dumb-arse american - a return to the laws of the stone age ... kill everything we dont agree with, in fact, kill everything except for us. Thank God you guys are going DOWN. I will toast merrily as your country hits the dust. So long sucker - remember to wipe your dumb arse afterwards.

[mikekleber]

Could the stikes be aimed at a place where Bin Laden is hiding??? Could killing Bin Laden be the October suprise from the Bush administration??????

[tapsettle]

"U.S. Missile Strike Suspected In Pakistan"

Just think for a minute - imagine if that headline read "Pakistan Missile Strike Suspected In U.S."

There would be uproar yes? So why do you arrogant warmongers think it is ok for you to do it to another country? This is why most of the world now hates america, and this is why much of the world is REJOICING in you financial collapse, and therefore your loss of superpower status. Good riddance too.

[jerr11]

OK, here''s today''s top 10 list:

Top 10 Bush''s accomplishments:

1. Al Qaeda resurgent in Afghanistan.

2. Bin Laden enjoying quiet retirement in Waziristan.

3. American Taxpayers paying $12 billion a month to Sunni warlords to keep the surge going.

4. Iraq delivered to the Iranian mullahs at the cost of $3 trillion and over 4000 Dead American troops.

5. Meanwhile back at home, homeowners losing their homes.

6. Dow off the cliff.

7. Unemployment at all time high.

8. But there''s a silver lining here: Halliburton''s profits are through the roof.

9. ******** Cheney is laughing all the way to the bank.

10. G W Bush getting ready to enjoy his retirement on 99 acre ranch in Paraguay.


VOTE MCCAIN/PALIN for more of the same!