US drone attack kills four in South Waziristan

PESHAWAR (Staff Report) - A United States unmanned armed vehicle on Sunday killed at least four suspected militants in an attack in Tehsil Shawal of South Waziristan.

The drone plane, according to initial reports, fired two missiles at a house that was completely destroyed as a result.

The identity of the deceased is yet to be ascertained.

The attack took place on the day when Al-Qaeda's south Asian branch has confirmed the deaths of deputy chief Ahmad Farooq and commander Qari Imran in the United States drone attacks on January 15 and January 5 respectively.

United States have been carrying out drone strikes in tribal region of Pakistan since 2004 where a number of militant commanders have also been killed in such attacks. The attacks are considered as controversial as unverified report suggest that many civilians have also been targeted in these actions.

Pakistan considers these attacks as violation of its sovereignty and 'unwanted' approach  because Pakistan army has already started an operation against the terrorist groups. Such attacks can affect the Pakistani efforts against militancy, said spokesperson of foreign office.

Over 3,000 people have been killed in such attacks during the last decade whereas it is also suspected that at least 500 civilians were also among them.