Two ‘US missiles’ kill 20 in tribal area

Two missiles, suspected to have been fired by two US remote controlled aircraft, struck a house in Damadola village in the Bajaur tribal region, killing 20 people on Wednesday evening.

Two missiles, suspected to have been fired by two US remote controlled aircraft, struck a house in Damadola village in the Bajaur tribal region, killing 20 people on Wednesday evening.

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Although this is a region where Islamic militants are known to operate, there was little evidence to show that any of those killed were associated with the Taliban. The strike was the first since the formation of the new Pakistan government. The house, an adjoining mosque, and a hujra (guesthouse for men) nearby were all completely destroyed.

This incident happened immediately after the Baitullah Mahsud-led militants signed a peace agreement with the government.