Two U.S. drone attacks killed 18 in Pakistan

[Jeffersons Ghost]

Attacks Kill 18 Militants in Pakistan
By REUTERS
Published: October 2, 2010

MIRANSHAH, Pakistan (Reuters) - Two U.S. drone attacks killed 18 militants in Pakistan on Saturday, intelligence officials said, after recent NATO incursions raised tensions with an ally Washington needs in efforts to stabilise Afghanistan.

The United States has widened pilotless drone aircraft missile strikes against al Qaeda-linked militants in Pakistan's northwest, with 21 attacks in September alone, the highest number in a single month on record.

Angered by repeated incursions by NATO helicopters over the past week, Pakistan blocked a supply route for coalition troops in Afghanistan after one such strike killed three Pakistani soldiers on Thursday in the northwestern Kurram region.

Pakistan is a crucial ally for the United States in its efforts to pacify Afghanistan, but analysts say border incursions and disruptions in NATO supplies underline growing tensions in the relationship.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/10/02/world/asia/international-uk-pakistan-violence.html?ref=global-home

[indepat]

1. If some nation were releasing 21 drone attacks on US soil in one month, Americans would surely

insist the damn things were accurately guided to the targets so as to minimize collateral damage. ;)

edited for spelling

[USArmyParatrooper]

2. That depends on a lot of factors.