US fires missiles into Pakistan

2009-05-09 10:17

Islamabad - A suspected pilotless US drone aircraft fired missiles into Pakistan's South Waziristan, a major al-Qaeda and Taliban sanctuary, on Saturday but there were no immediate reports of casualties, intelligence officials said.

"At least four missiles were fired near Sarorogha village but we have no reports where they struck or if there are any casualties," said an intelligence official in the region on the Afghan border.

The United States began staging drone attacks in Pakistan with greater frequency a year ago. There has been no let-up since President Barack Obama's administration took office in January, despite complaints from the Pakistani government.

The United States carried out about 40 drone air strikes since the beginning of last year, most since September, killing more than 300 people, according to a tally of reports from Pakistani intelligence agents, district government officials and residents.

Including Saturday's attack, there have been 15 attacks this year, with five in April.

- Reuters