10 Pakistani militants killed in U.S. drone strikeJune 3, 2012 - 17:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A U.S. drone strike in Pakistan's frontier tribal area has killed 10 suspected militants, officials say, according to Belfast Telegraph. Two Pakistani intelligence officials say four missiles were fired at the village of Mana Raghzai near the border with Afghanistan on Sunday June 2 morning. At the time of the attack, suspected militants were gathered to offer condolences to the brother of a militant commander killed during an American unmanned drone attack on Saturday. Pakistan has repeatedly asked the U.S. to stop the drone attacks. But the U.S. has pushed ahead with the programme, which it considers vital in its fight against al Qaida and the Taliban. It is the sixth American drone strike over the last two weeks, and emphasises the importance the U.S. government places on the drone campaign. Secretly, many Pakistani military commanders are believed to support the drone campaign. But among the Pakistani public, where the U.S. is viewed with mistrust, the drone strikes are considered an affront to their sovereignty. The Pakistani government and parliament has repeatedly asked the U.S. to stop the drone strikes. The ongoing attacks are also complicating efforts for the U.S. and Pakistan to come to an agreement over reopening the supply routes to Nato and American forces in Afghanistan. American airstrikes inadvertently killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in November, prompting Islamabad to block U.S. and Nato supply lines into Afghanistan. Pakistan has demanded an apology over the raid and an end to drone strikes against militants along the Afghan border as a precursor to reopening the supply lines. But the U.S. has shown no intention to ending the attacks. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |