Missile strike in Pakistan leaves 18 dead

A missile strike Sunday destroyed the compound of a suspected militant leader in Pakistan’s tribal belt, killing at least 18 people, officials and local residents said.

The Pakistani military disavowed responsibility for the strike in the South Waziristan tribal region, raising the possibility that it was carried out by U.S. forces. American military officials in neighboring Afghanistan had no immediate comment, though U.S. troops are believed to have carried out several similar attacks in recent months.

Aerial and cross-border attacks by the Americans are rarely acknowledged because of the sensitive issue of Pakistani sovereignty. However, the U.S. military acknowledged responsibility for a cross-border missile strike last week that killed four Pakistani civilians, saying the attack had been aimed at militant leaders.

The target of Sunday’s strike was unclear, though local officials said the compound was occupied by a pro-Taliban tribesman who went by the name of Noorullah. The wrecked compound was a short distance to the south of Wana, the district’s main town.

The rugged, remote tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, particularly North and South Waziristan, serve as a base of operations for a plethora of groups affiliated with the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

One local official said most of those killed Sunday were “Arabs,” a term often used to describe foreign militants. U.S. attacks on suspected militant leaders, such as the raid that killed senior Al Qaeda figure Abu Laith al Libi in late January, are sometimes carried out with unmanned aerial drones. Residents in the area reported hearing an aircraft overhead shortly before the missiles hit.

Pakistan’s main military spokesman, Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas, said his nation’s forces had not carried out any operations in the area. Local officials said it did not appear that any women or children had died in Sunday’s attack. Pakistani security sources said the compound was being used as a training camp.

The strike came a day after a bombing at a restaurant in the capital, Islamabad. The blast killed a Turkish aid worker and injured 11 other people, five of them Americans.

FBI Special Agent Richard Kolko in Washington confirmed that four FBI personnel were among those hurt. “The FBI is providing the necessary assistance to our employees and their families,” Kolko said.

The restaurant was a popular gathering spot for expatriates, suggesting that militants may be shifting their attention toward attacks on foreigners.

Western news agencies reported that militants loyal to pro-Taliban commander Baitullah Mahsud had claimed responsibility for the Islamabad blast. Mahsud is blamed by Pakistani authorities for orchestrating dozens of attacks, including the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in December.

Reuters news agency quoted a Mahsud spokesman as also claiming responsibility for twin blasts last week in the eastern city of Lahore that killed at least 24 people.

--

laura.king@latimes.com

Special correspondent Ali reported from Peshawar and Times staff writer King from Islamabad. Staff writer Josh Meyer in Washington contributed to this report.