MIRANSHAH, Pakistan (Reuters) -- A missile fired by a pilotless U.S. drone aircraft today killed at least three militants traveling in a car in Pakistan's North Waziristan region on the Afghan border, security officials said.
"The bodies were burned beyond recognition. We are trying to determine their identity," said one security official.
On December 31, a drone attack killed at least two militants in the same region, known as a sanctuary for Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants fighting in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The United States carried out at least 50 drone air strikes in northwestern border regions in 2009, killing about 415 people, including many foreign militants, according to tally reports from Pakistani officials and residents.
In 2008, there were 32 strikes that killed about 240 people.
Pakistan worries the strikes could undermine efforts to deal with militancy because the civilian casualties inflame public anger and bolster support for the fighters. Pakistan has pressed the United States to provide it with drones to allow it to conduct its own attacks.
"The bodies were burned beyond recognition. We are trying to determine their identity," said one security official.
On December 31, a drone attack killed at least two militants in the same region, known as a sanctuary for Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants fighting in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The United States carried out at least 50 drone air strikes in northwestern border regions in 2009, killing about 415 people, including many foreign militants, according to tally reports from Pakistani officials and residents.
In 2008, there were 32 strikes that killed about 240 people.
Pakistan worries the strikes could undermine efforts to deal with militancy because the civilian casualties inflame public anger and bolster support for the fighters. Pakistan has pressed the United States to provide it with drones to allow it to conduct its own attacks.
