US MISSILE STRIKES

27 killed in Pakistan

11-01-2008 | AP

Panama Star DERA ISMAIL KHAN, PAKISTA. Suspected U. S. missiles slammed into two villages close to the Afghan border on Friday, killing 27 people including an Arab al-Qaida operative and other foreign militants, intelligence officials said.

The al-Qaida member was identified as Abu Kasha Iraqi, the officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

He had been living in Pakistan's tribal region for about three years, from where he had been organizing attacks on foreign forces in Afghanistan, the officials said.

Suspected U.S. unmanned planes have fired at alleged militant targets in Pakistan at least 17 times since mid-August, putting pressure on extremists accused of planning attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan — and perhaps terror strikes in the West.

But the marked uptick in their frequency is straining America's seven-year alliance with Pakistan, where rising violence is exacerbating economic problems gnawing at the nuclear-armed country's stability.

Scores of foreign al-Qaida members are believed to be hiding out in the lawless border area, which is considered a likely hiding place for Osama bin Laden.

The United States rarely confirms or denies firing the missiles and the identities of those killed are only occasionally made public. Locals frequently say civilians are among the dead.