Islamabad: At least a dozen militants, including foreigners, were killed today in a missile strike on a Taliban commander's compound in Pakistan's restive Bajaur Agency bordering Afghanistan. Local residents said a pilotless drone fired two guided missiles at the compound of Taliban commander Maulvi Obaidullah in the Damadola area of Bajaur Agency late tonight.
Pakistani Taliban spokesman Maulvi Omar confirmed the attack but did not give details. Locals said Taliban fighters cordoned off Obaidullah's home and madrassa after the missile strike and did not allow people to approach the area. Pakistani TV news channels gave varying death toll figures. Dawn News channel reported that 12 militants, including foreigners, were killed, while other channels said up to 20 people were feared killed.
The military said it had no information on the attack. Over the past few months, there have been several missile strikes on Taliban bases in Pakistan's tribal areas that were blamed on pilotless aircraft operated by US forces in Afghanistan.
