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 Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for children Moscow slams EU mission in Armenia for “provocative activity” The EU mission is doing more and more against Armenia’s neighbors Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, Mikhail Galuzin said. Yerevan Mayor to travel to Paris on May 15-19 The official delegation headed by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan will travel to Paris from May 15 to 19. Armenia, India hold first defense consultations The meeting was attended by Indian Ambassador Nilakshi Saha Sinha and Defense Attaché Brigadier General Naveen Nijhawan. |