US drone strike kills at least 17 in Pakistan

A suspected U.S. drone strike in northwestern Pakistan has killed 17 people, local security officials said.

Wednesday’s attack is the biggest this year and the second since Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took office.

According to the intelligence sources the drone has targeted one of the Haqqani’s compound in Darpakhel area of the North Waziristan.

Most of those killed were fighters for the Haqqani network, according to three Taliban commanders and security officials.

Many were wounded in the attack, local tribesman Kaleemullah Dawar said, but rescuers delayed for fear of falling victim to a second attack, a common tactic with drone strikes.

“It was not possible for the people to start rescue work for some time, as the drones were still flying over the area,” Dawar said.

US officials consider the Haqqani network to be one of the most dangerous “militant” factions fighting American troops in neighbouring Afghanistan.

The leadership of the Haqqani network pledges allegiance to Taliban chief Mullah Omar but operates fairly independently.

The Government of Pakistan condemned the attack saying