This is by far the largest number of Taliban taken out in a single predator drone strike that I have documented - and by a long shot. In a predator drone strike today that hit a compound full of meeting Taliban and possible a vehicle as well, 22 Taliban have been confirmed killed in the strike. In most predator drone strikes we typically see three to six Taliban killed with eight being taken out in a heavy hit. But to see 22 taken out is like winning the lottery!
From the article at DAWN:
A US drone strike on Thursday killed at least 22 militants in Pakistan’s North Waziristan tribal region, DawnNews reported.
There were conflicting accounts about the target of the attack in the Dattakhel region of North Waziristan.
The area is a stronghold of Hafiz Gul Bahadur, a Taliban commander who harbours and sends militants across the border to fight western forces in Afghanistan.
One official said the missiles targeted a house as elders loyal to Bahadur were trying to mediate between two warring militant groups inside.
Another official said the drone attacked a vehicle in the area that was passing by a house where some local tribesmen were holding a meeting, killing them.
I'm pretty surprised that the Taliban would make this kind of mistake - that they would have this many jihadis gather together in North Waziristan. I gotta believe the drone operators were licking their chops as they saw group after group of Taliban file into this building for the meeting. The article doesn't say how many hellfires were pumped into that building but to kill that many Taliban, one has to believe that there were at least two predator drones involved in this operation.
Drone attack kills 22 in North Waziristan
MIRAMSHAH: A US drone strike on Thursday killed at least 22 militants in Pakistan’s North Waziristan tribal region, DawnNews reported.
There were conflicting accounts about the target of the attack in the Dattakhel region of North Waziristan.
The area is a stronghold of Hafiz Gul Bahadur, a Taliban commander who harbours and sends militants across the border to fight western forces in Afghanistan.
One official said the missiles targeted a house as elders loyal to Bahadur were trying to mediate between two warring militant groups inside.
Another official said the drone attacked a vehicle in the area that was passing by a house where some local tribesmen were holding a meeting, killing them.
It was not immediately known if those in the vehicle were also hit.
The United States has been attacking al Qaeda-linked militants for the past few years in Pakistan’s tribal areas using drones, which are a source of worry for the government because civilians casualties inflame public anger and bolster support for the militants.
North Waziristan, where most of the drone attacks have occurred, is the only one of the seven Pakistani tribal regions where Pakistan’s army has not yet launched any major operation against the militants.
Washington has in recent months mounted pressure on Pakistan to go after militants in North Waziristan. Pakistan has said it will do so but on its own schedule and when adequate resources are available.
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