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US Kills Taliban Commander With al-Qaeda Ties

Drone strike indicates again that drones are back in action in Pakistan.

By the Associated Press

Posted Feb 9, 2012 8:51 AM CST

(AP) – A US drone fired two missiles at a house in Pakistan's northwest tribal region today, killing five suspected militants, according to intelligence officials. The Taliban identified one of them as Badar Mansoor, a prominent commander who has served as a key link to al-Qaeda. Mansoor led a group of more than 200 Pakistani Taliban fighters in the North Waziristan tribal area, the main sanctuary for militants in Pakistan, said a fellow insurgent.

The strike hit the main bazaar in Miran Shah, the biggest town in North Waziristan. It was the second such strike in as many days in North Waziristan, an indication the drone program is picking up steam again after a slowdown caused by tensions with Pakistan over NATO airstrikes that accidentally killed 24 Pakistani soldiers last year.

A poor man sits in a quilt during severe winter in an old part of Rawalpindi city in Pakistan on Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012.
A poor man sits in a quilt during severe winter in an old part of Rawalpindi city in Pakistan on Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012.   (B.K. Bangash)
Pakistani children play snooker in slums of Rawalpindi city in Pakistan on Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012.
Pakistani children play snooker in slums of Rawalpindi city in Pakistan on Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012.   (B.K. Bangash)
Pakistani tribal people rally against US drone strikes in Miran Shah in Pakistani's North Waziristan region in this June 20, 2011 file photo.
Pakistani tribal people rally against US drone strikes in Miran Shah in Pakistani's North Waziristan region in this June 20, 2011 file photo.   (AP Photo/Hasbunullah)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 7 comments
chezwhat
Feb 9, 2012 5:47 PM CST
We need to re-invade Iraq. I heard Perry say it. Or was is that dipshit bush. Whatevs, same douchenozzle.
pg13
Feb 9, 2012 9:08 AM CST
The Viet Cong are just about to give up, if we kill one more of their commanders.  Just one more.

Copyright 2013 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

 

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